§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will bring forward legislation to empower the National Assembly for Wales to amend those Acts which have effect in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [115954]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyA general power for the Assembly to amend Acts of the UK Parliament having effect in Wales would be unconstrained and inconsistent with the devolution settlement for Wales.
There are, and will continue to be, occasions when it is appropriate to give the National Assembly a power to amend Acts of Parliament for particular purposes. Powers of this kind are included in the Government of Wales Act 1998 and the Health Act 1999 and also in the Care Standards Bill, the Local Government Bill and the Transport Bill.