Clause 8
5:30 pm
John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; South Holland and The Deepings, Conservative)
I was quoting the Minister of State’s response when the matter was raised with him. My own contention is that the matter was not handled properly in terms of consultation and that was clearly a view reflected by those in the Assembly and those associated with Wales in the House. If they have concerns, I regard it as my duty to make those concerns known at this stage of scrutiny.
It would not be the first time that the Government have run into problems in that regard, as the Minister well knows. In previous Bills, the Welsh dimension, in terms of the application of legislation and the nature of consultation, has been a minefield for Government Ministers. I hope that the Minister will be able to offer assurances that those matters have been dealt with properly, that the concerns expressed by others have been listened to and acted on, and that there is absolute clarity about the way in which the Bill will apply in Wales. Unless we have those assurances, how can we possibly agree to clause 8?