Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

This is a funny old amendment, because it has not actually been tabled.

Order. No amendment has been selected. This is the stand part debate.

I know, but the amendment that I have in mind has a bearing on what I want to say about the clause. The reason the amendment I tabled was not selected was, I suspect, that it had implications for the stand part debate. Forgive me if I did not start the right way, Miss Begg, but this has been one of those mornings.

We sought to guarantee that the public transport users’ committee for Wales would be independent from the Assembly and that its autonomy would be preserved. We do not want the committee to be a puppet of the Assembly. Subsection (3) allows the Assembly to alter the functions in any way it desires, which seems open to the possibility of direct and absolute control by the Assembly. That is unnecessarily over-prescriptive. Although we must be certain to provide for the review and accountability of the committee, the Assembly must not have complete and absolute control, any more than it already does. Such a move must not be allowed. The provision for the Assembly to alter the committee’s functions as freely as it desires must be reconsidered.

We must also be certain that those who use Welsh transport regularly yet live on the other side of the border have a voice. Would the committee provide for   such people? If not, there is potential for a minority of people to be left without the ability to air their views on Welsh transport. I am concerned about whether the committee would be as independent as I am sure we would all like it to be. Obviously, it would be totally reliant on the Assembly, but it must not be a puppet of the Assembly. Whether the clause stands part of the Bill depends on how the Minister feels about the committee’s independence.

The clause sets out the functions of the committee, which is described in clause 8, and permits the Assembly to amend those functions by order. That may include conferring further functions, but only if they relate to public passenger transport services or facilities to, from or within Wales.

The London Transport Users Committee represents the users of all transport modes in London, including bus, trains and tubes. In broad terms, we are using that model as a basis to establish a public transport users’ committee for Wales. The London Transport Users Committee has proved effective in representing transport users in London, providing a voice for passengers, contributing to consultations and pursuing complaints when things go wrong. It is anticipated that the public transport users’ committee for Wales will be equally effective.

The hon. Gentleman asked about those with an issue who live outside Wales. If the issue relates to transport within Wales, I would have thought the committee would take up any representation that they made.

It being One o’clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned till this day at half-past Four o’clock.