Welsh Affairs - annual debate on 2 March 2023
A general debate on Welsh Affairs is held each year in the Commons Chamber on, or around, St. David's Day. Since 2010, the Backbench Committee has allocated time for the annual debate from its 35 allotted days.
There is no debate pack for this debate but links to relevant briefings are provided below.
The first debate specifically set aside for discussion of “Welsh affairs” in the House of Commons took place on 17 October 1944.
That debate was led by Megan Lloyd George, the Liberal MP for Anglesey, who considered the debate “somewhat overdue”. She said: "We welcome this Debate as a recognition of the distinctive problems and needs of Wales, not as an area, not as a part of England, but as a nation with a living language of its own, with hundreds of years of history behind it, and with its own culture."
Not all Welsh Members supported the idea of a dedicated debate. Aneurin Bevan, the Labour MP for Ebbw Vale, said that while Wales had “a special place, a special individuality, a special culture and special claims”, he did not think “this is the place where any of them can properly be considered”.
Commons Library briefingsDevolution in Wales: “A process, not an event”
Prior to the 1997 referendum on devolving power from Westminster to Wales, the then Secretary of State for Wales, Ron Davies, memorably referred to devolution as “a process, not an event”. In a pamphlet published ahead of the first elections to the new National Assembly for Wales in May 1999, he explained:
“Devolution is a process. It is not an event and neither is it a journey with a fixed end-point. The devolution process is enabling us to make our own decisions and set our own priorities, that is the important point. We test our constitution with experience and we do that in a pragmatic and not an ideologically driven way.”
The story of devolution in Wales in the two decades since the Government of Wales Act 1998 received Royal Assent on 31 July 1998 illustrates Davies’ point, for the “process” of devolution continues to this day.
The potential merits of the devolution of justice to Wales
This debate pack was published for a Westminster Hall debate on Devolution of Justice: Wales
This debate pack was published for a Westminster Hall debate on Energy costs in Wales
Impact of the cost of living crisis in Wales
This debate pack was published for a Westminster Hall debate on Cost of Living Crisis: Wales
Spending of the office of the Secretary of State for Wales
This debate pack was published for the Commons debate: Support for the Welsh Economy and Funding for the Devolved Institutions
Reserved matters in the United Kingdom
A briefing paper focusing on policy matters which remain "reserved" to Westminster concerning Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Recent debates on Welsh matters
National Medical Isotope Centre: North Wales, HC Deb 23 Feb 23 cc 279-86
Freeports: Wales, HC Deb 21 Feb 23 cc 1-20WH
Devolution of Justice: Wales, HC Deb 29 Nov 2022 cc 253-77
North Wales Main Line, HC Deb 15 Nove 2022 cc 253-64WH
Government of Wales (Devolved Powers) Bill: Lords Second Reading, HL Deb 28 Oct 2022 cc 1643-1661
Energy costs in Wales, HC Deb 11 Oct 2022 cc 30-51WH
Cost of Living Crisis: Wales, HC Deb 19 Jul 2022 cc 249-74WH
Support for the Welsh Economy and Funding for the Devolved Institution, HC Deb 5 Jul 2022 cc 771-807
Ten minute rule motion to bring in Shared Prosperity Fund (Wales) Bill, HC Deb 22 Mar 2022 c 176
Welsh Local Authorities, HC Deb 15 March 2022 cc 296-312WH
Welsh Affairs, HC Deb 3 March 2022 cc 1212-66
Welsh Affairs Committee
Current Welsh Affairs Committee Inquiries
Water quality in Wales - a one-off session to examining quality of water in Wales.
Floating Offshore Wind in Wales - two evidence session exploring floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea, as the UK seeks to harness its renewable energy potential.
Broadcasting in Wales - an inquiry into broadcasting in Wales. It will consider how to ensure a successful and dynamic broadcasting sector in Wales; the future of public service broadcasting and the place of free-to-air sports broadcasting in Wales; and the impact of the privatisation of Channel 4 on the Welsh broadcasting sector.
Nuclear energy in Wales - an inquiry looking at nuclear energy in Wales. It will consider Wales’ role in the UK Government’s nuclear ambitions, the economic impact of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa and the development of nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors.
Wales as a global tourist destination - the commiteee seeks to explore the current position of the tourism sector in Wales and the steps the UK Government can take to help promote Wales to the world.
Grid capacity in Wales - the commitee will explore the implications of grid capacity issues for the energy sector in Wales, particularly in relation to Wales meeting its net zero targets.
The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales - a short inquiry to explore the impact of major policy changes (particularly, but not exclusively, international trade and climate change) on family farms in Wales.
The Benefits System in Wales - an inquiry examining the benefits system in Wales following a period of unprecedented challenge for the benefits system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales - the committee holds a regular series of evidence sessions, during the year, with the Secretary of State for Wales about his responsibilities and the work of the UK Government in Wales.
All current non-inquiry sessions
Recently published Welsh Affairs Committee Reports
Grid Capacity in Wales (published 21 October) - Government response
The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales (published 7 April 2022) - Government response
The Benefits System in Wales (published 17 March 2022) - Government response