Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his opening to this debate, and also for the conversation that we’ve had on this measure recently? As the Cabinet Secretary has outlined, we are today requested to provide our consent to Part 5 of the UK Government’s Digital Economy Bill. As the Cabinet Secretary alluded to, at times, that section has proved highly controversial as the Bill proceeded through the legislative process in both Houses of the UK Parliament. Having said that, I also agree with the general thrust of this matter before us. However, it is worth noting that, as it proceeded through the House of Lords, the Lords’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee report said—and I quote—

‘we do not consider it appropriate for Ministers to have the power to decide by Delegated legislation which authorities should be entitled to disclose or receive information under this potentially far-reaching and broadly-drafted gateway’.

The broad powers to share information with a range of ‘specified persons’, which could include private sector bodies, in particular, could be an area of concern, and plainly was an area of concern in the deliberations at the other end of the M4. It noted there, in the House of Lords, that the powers would very significantly broaden the scope for the sharing of information across Government departments, local authorities and other public bodies, and I understand that it is intended to allow recipients to match the data against that already held to identify individuals ‘facing multiple disadvantages’.

However, one could have an issue with the broad definition of the list of bodies that citizen data could be shared with under Clause 30 of the Bill. The power to be described as a ‘specified person’ means that private sector contractors could be entitled to receive and disclose citizen information. So, could I just ask, what representations has the Welsh Government made on the specific point of whether the specified persons should be listed on the face of the Bill? And does the Welsh Government believe that the Bill should include such a list on the face of the Bill? The provisions within the Bill would, as was said in the explanatory memorandum, allow information to be shared between gas and electricity suppliers and public authorities, in relation to customers living in Fuel Poverty. Any move towards supporting people who are in fuel poverty is obviously very welcome. However, it does raise some serious questions that information on customers will be provided to commercial companies. Therefore, what steps have been taken to safeguard the people in Wales to ensure that companies do not breach any privacy rights?

The Cabinet Secretary alluded that this legislation was compatible with human rights legislation. Could he just confirm that again? And back to the data sharing of information with gas and electricity companies. Obviously, if it helps people in fuel poverty and in water poverty, and with debt control and all the rest of it, those moves are to be welcomed, naturally, but what happens to the data when those customers who at one point were in fuel poverty are no longer deemed to be in fuel poverty? What measures are used to stop the sharing of that information when it is no longer materially necessary so to do?

I'm glad the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed this afternoon that the relevant parts, when relevant public bodies are being discussed and measures are brought forward here, will be subject to the affirmative procedure here. That’s a move that I welcome. And, having said all that, Plaid Cymru will not oppose this LCM today. Diolch yn fawr.