Clause 3 - Review of exercise of functions of Assembly and other persons
Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill
11:00 am
Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire, Liberal Democrat)
I should like to make a couple of further points about the amendments. On amendment No. 45, avoiding failures is especially important. I am worried about whether the commissioner will be involved in making appointments in the regulatory framework for fulfilling responsibilities for children in Wales. It was enlightening to learn that the Assembly had involved children in the selection of the Children's Commissioner. That bodes well, because the Assembly has shown an enlightened approach to involving children.
Clearly, the commissioner will have views on appointments. I believe that it is within the Assembly's purview to involve him in those facets of the management system in relation to children, but I should be grateful if the Minister would confirm that. The Assembly has an enlightened view in that respect. I have particularly in mind, appointments to the inspectorate, which will carry out its functions in relation to local authorities.
On amendment No. 10, and Assembly secondary legislation, it was necessary to extend the powers of the Children's Commissioner, and the only way of doing so was to introduce the Bill in the House. We are discussing a limited aspect, but it will crop up from time to time. As the hon. Member for Cardiff, North has said, other Bills will affect Wales. The Minister for the Environment is, rightly, worried about regional administration. Now that we have devolution in Wales, some aspects of primary legislation that are specific to Wales will arise on which the Children's Commissioner should have a view, and I am sure that the Assembly will direct him in that respect.