Clause 59 - Wales
Fire and Rescue Services Bill
4:15 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
I have a different question for the Under-Secretary. I understand entirely the intention of the clause, but it substitutes a reference to the National Assembly for Wales for every reference to the Secretary of State throughout parts 1 to 6 of the Bill, including clause 33 on pensions. When we dealt with that in the context of Scotland, we noted that pensions were not a devolved matter but remained a United Kingdom matter to be dealt with by the Secretary of State. I am therefore bound to ask why there is not a ''saving to'' provision in the clause which leaves the reference to the Secretary of State in clause 33 on pensions.