§ 19. Mr. St. AubynTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of Ministers in his Department following the transfer of powers to the National Assembly for Wales [85174]
§ Mr. MichaelMinisters in the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales will have the following functions after the transfer of functions to the Assembly on 1 July:
Functions relating to their membership of the UK Government.
Responsibility to ensure that the interests of Wales are fully considered in the workings of the UK Government.
Responsibility to steer primary legislation relating to Wales through Parliament.
Functions relating to the fact that this House will vote the Main Estimate to the Secretary of State for Wales, who will make a grant to the Assembly after deducting the cost of running his own office.
Responsibility to consult the Assembly on the Government's legislative programme.
Responsibility to ensure that the arrangements for co-operation between the Assembly and the UK Government are working effectively.
§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact that his newly acquired responsibilities in the National Assembly will have upon the discharge of his functions as Secretary of State. [85173]
§ Mr. MichaelThe advent of the National Assembly for Wales will strengthen the United Kingdom and improve the way that services are delivered to the people of Wales. I shall be able to achieve substantial improvement in the effectiveness of my role of Secretary of State as a result of close co-operation with Members of the Assembly and others.