§ 15. Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans the Government have to devolve further powers from Westminster to the National Assembly. [72469]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Government have no plans to devolve further substantive existing powers to the Assembly, beyond those set out in the draft Transfer of Functions Order which was approved by the House on 24 February. In future, new legislation which gives780W powers to Secretaries of State in respect of England will need to specify what powers are to be given to the Assembly in respect of Wales.
§ 24. Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the criteria under which candidates for the National Assembly can be disqualified. [72478]
§ Mr. MichaelSection 12 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 specifies persons and classes of person who may not also be members of the National Assembly for Wales.
The draft Order-in-Council laid on 10 February proposes further disqualifying offices and employments taking account both of conflicts of interest which Assembly members might experience and the need to ensure that the impartiality of bodies exercising quasi-judicial functions is not being compromised.