Part of 11. 9. Debate: Stage 3 of the Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Bill – in the Senedd at 5:19 pm on 28 March 2017.
Nick Ramsay
Conservative
5:19,
28 March 2017
Diolch. I’m pleased to hear the Cabinet Secretary make those comments. This Amendment was well meaning in its intention, and that was to ensure that the Welsh Revenue Authority is an efficient organisation that does seek to provide the maximum value for money to the taxpayer. That was why we were suggesting that the Welsh Government might provide guidance. However, this is a grey area, and having listened to the Cabinet Secretary’s intentions, I do share some of his concerns that, actually, the last thing we want to do is compromise the arm’s-length model of the WRA that is being established. I recognise that in certain circumstances this amendment could be seen to be doing that. So, I welcome your commitment to write to the chair of the new authority. I also think, considering that the previous group, 13, and amendment 31, brought forward by Steffan Lewis, has been adopted by the Welsh Government and by the Assembly, that that does provide a measure of security and review at the six-yearly period, I think it was, that’s stated in that amendment. So, that, combined with the commitment of the Cabinet Secretary to review the ongoing operation of WRA, means that I’m happy, with the permission of the Assembly, to withdraw the amendment, but that is a matter for you.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
