Welsh Affairs - annual debate on 25 February 2021

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”: "There may be an argument—I think there is an argument—for considerable devolution of government, but there is no need for a special day in Parliament and this Debate has demonstrated it completely. Do not let us indulge in the humbug that this Debate to-day has had the slightest relevance to any important Welsh problem."

Commons Library briefings

Commons Library Briefings

Internal Market Bill: Reactions from Scottish and Welsh Governments

On Monday (28 September), the Scottish and Welsh Governments published ‘Legislative Consent Memorandums’ (LCM) regarding the UK Internal Market Bill. Both recommended that the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments should withhold consent.

This Insight looks at each government’s position, as well as broader concerns about how the UK Government deals with legislative consent.

Senedd Cymru: Why has the National Assembly for Wales changed its name?

The National Assembly for Wales has officially become the Senedd Cymru or Welsh Parliament. This Insight examines the origins of the name change, its legislative basis and controversies around the bilingual nature.

“A process, not an event”: Devolution in Wales, 1998-2020

This briefing paper summarises the main developments regarding devolution in Wales since 1998. It begins by setting out the current constitutional position before examining five broad phases of devolution:

• administrative devolution (1964-1999);
• executive devolution with secondary law-making powers (1999-2007);
• executive devolution with enhanced secondary powers (2007-2011);
• legislative devolution under a “conferred powers” model (2011-2018);
• legislative devolution under a “reserved powers” model (2018- ).

Welsh Affairs Committee

Current Welsh Affairs Committee Inquiries

Railway Infrastructure in Wales (An inquiry to scrutinise the investment in Welsh railway infrastructure and the impact of Covid on passenger services.)

Renewable energy in Wales (An inquiry looking at how the UK Government, in cooperation with Welsh Ministers, can best support the development of renewable energy in Wales.)

Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales (The Committee questions the Secretary of State for Wales on a wide range of issues affecting Wales.)

The Welsh Economy and Covid-19 (An inquiry into the economic consequences for Wales of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the short and longer-term support necessary to rebuild the Welsh economy following the end of the crisis.)

Brexit and Trade: implications for Wales (An inquiry examining the key priorities for Wales in the trade negotiations. Looking at the implications of a deal, along the lines proposed by the UK Government, or no deal on Welsh businesses and Wales-EU trade flows.)

Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund (An inquiry into the aims, administration and the implementation of the proposed Shared Prosperity Fund.)

Recently published Welsh Affairs Committee Reports

Brexit and trade: implications for Wales (published 11.12.20) - Government response

Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund: Priorities for the replacement of EU structural funding (published 2.10.20) - Government response

The Welsh economy and Covid-19: Interim Report (published 21.7.20)

Freeports and Wales (published 8.5.20) - Government response

Pre-appointment hearing with the Government’s preferred candidate for the Chair of S4C (Published 19.2.20)

Recent debates on Welsh matters

Draft Government of Wales Act 2006 (Amendment) Order 2021, HC Deb 2 Feb 2021 cc1-10

Government of Wales Act 2006 (Amendment) Order 2021, HL Deb 27 Jan 2021 cc222-34GC

Welsh Food: Protected Status, HC Deb 15 Dec 2020 cc101-5WH

Support for People and Businesses in Wales: Covid-19, HC Deb 21 Oct 2020 cc414-38WH

Welsh Affairs, HC Deb 27 Feb 2020 cc522-81