Clause 3 - Review of exercise of functions of Assembly and other persons

Part of Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:15 am on 30 January 2001.

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Photo of Elfyn Llwyd Elfyn Llwyd Opposition Whip (Commons), Shadow PC Spokesperson (Home Affairs), Shadow Spokesperson (Business, Innovation and Skills), Shadow Spokesperson (Communities and Local Government), Shadow Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport) 11:15, 30 January 2001

I wonder whether the hon. Member for Bridgend knows more than I do. I hope—no doubt as you do, Mr. Jones—that the hon. Gentleman's qualified optimism will be rewarded later in Committee. I hope that I am in order in making those remarks.

This is the crux of the matter. All hon. Members want the commissioner to be able to deliver the necessary services on behalf of the children of Wales. The wording of section 33 would cover the issue perfectly. Plainly, there will be no movement on the amendment, because of what was said in earlier debates, but will the Minister think again about an extension in the Bill? In our debates on Tuesday last week, Labour Members—especially the hon. Member for Cardiff, North—said that, because of his status, the commissioner would be able to ask for information from various Departments. I come again to my honest belief that, unless it is written into the Bill, Departments will not feel under any pressure to send anything to the commissioner, least of all anything of moment or of relevance to the matter in hand.