Clause 41 - Transfer of certain functions to National Assembly for Wales
Higher Education Bill
5:15 pm
Mr Alan Johnson (Minister of State (Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education), Department for Education and Skills; Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman is making a point that he has made before. Such powers have been devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and both have made their own arrangements as regards grants and other matters. Why does he think that there would be a problem in Wales, when, to all intents and purposes, none has appeared in Scotland or Northern Ireland? What is so peculiar about Wales? Does he think that Scotland and Northern Ireland should not have such powers?