§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings have taken place in the past three months between his Department's ministers and other Government departments on the powers of the Welsh Assembly; and what the outcome was in each case. [69257]
§ Mr. MichaelDiscussion of how the powers of the Secretary of State for Wales will transfer to the Welsh Assembly and the implications for other Government Departments arises frequently in meetings within Government.
All such discussions provide positive opportunities to prepare the ground for the transfer of powers. As far as the formal process is concerned, on 12 November last year, I published a draft of the Transfer of Functions Order which will determine the powers to be transferred to the National Assembly. Since then there have been a number of meetings at official and Ministerial level as well as comments from outside Government. These all help to inform the final draft Order which I hope will be ready to be laid later this month. I and my officials are also consulted on any Government Bill which makes provision for Wales. Some Bills confer powers directly on the Assembly.