§ 124 Clause 45, page 27, line 8, at end insert ("and police authorities in Wales")
§ 125 Page 27, line 11, at end insert ("(other than police authorities)")
§ Baroness Farrington of RibbletonMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 124 and 125. I shall speak also to the amendments grouped with them.
The effects of the amendments are straightforward. As drafted, the Bill treats Welsh police authorities as relevant authorities in Wales for the purposes of Part III. But policing in Wales is a non-devolved matter and Welsh police authorities are the responsibility of the Secretary of State and not the National Assembly. Part III therefore needs amending to reflect that fact.
Amendment No. 124 and those grouped with it ensure that Welsh police authorities are subject to the principles and codes of conduct drawn up by the Secretary of State for English authorities, not those prepared for other Welsh local authorities by the National Assembly.
In drawing up the principles and codes of conduct, the Secretary of State will be obliged to consult the Assembly as well as the Commission for Local Administration and Welsh police authorities themselves. Any breaches of the code of conduct in these authorities will be investigated by the local commissioner in Wales rather than the standards hoard. The reason for that is that the local 70 commissioner in Wales is already responsible for investigating maladministration in Welsh police authorities. It therefore makes sense that he should also investigate breaches of the code of conduct in those authorities. These arrangements properly reflect the non-devolved status of Welsh police authorities. I commend the amendments to the House. I hope that noble Lord will also support the other amendments grouped with them.
Moved, The House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 124 and 125.—(Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton.) On Question, Motion agreed to.