Clause 6 - Powers of National Assembly for Wales
Health (Wales) Bill
9:30 am
Mr Don Touhig (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Welsh Office; Islwyn, Labour/Co-operative)
The National Assembly (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 transferred to the National Assembly various functions approved by the Secretary of State for Wales. As such, it set out the position at a particular time. Since 1999, the position has changed, and many of the Acts under which these functions were conferred have been amended. Indeed, the Bill amends the provisions of the National Health Service Act 1977.
That technical provision ensures that all amendments to the Bill will be carried through to the Transfer of Functions Order, thereby ensuring that the Assembly can undertake its functions in accordance with current legislation. Similar provisions affecting major amendments have appeared in other legislation—the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Bill 2001, for example. It is important and necessary to provide for the transfer of functions. I hope that that deals with the hon. Gentleman's point.