Inquiry into the Great Repeal Bill and its implications for Wales

Inquiry into the Great Repeal Bill and its implications for Wales

 

 

Initially called the Great Repeal Bill, the official title of the Bill was changed to the European Union Withdrawal Bill. The purpose of the Bill was to repeal the European Communities Act 1972, convert existing EU law into domestic UK law and give ministers power to make secondary legislation.

 

During the first phase of work in the autumn of 2016, the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee sought initial views on the implications for Wales of the UK Government’s approach and drew some conclusions in its first report: Implications for Wales of Exiting the European Union.

 

In the context of the UK Government’s White Paper (PDF, 379KB), the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee assessed:

 

  • the Assembly’s role in the Brexit legislative process and in scrutinising executive functions in areas of devolved competence is protected;
  • principles of effective law making are being observed;
  • the Welsh people, stakeholders and organisations have sufficient opportunity to contribute to the legislative processes established by the Bill;
  • the Bill enables the Assembly to exercise appropriate control over delegated powers provided by the Bill; and
  • the Welsh Government’s response is sufficient.

 

Evidence gathering

 

The Committee sought the views of stakeholders on the UK Government’s White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill and its implications for Wales. The consultation ended on 15 May 2017.

 

The Committee also held a number evidence sessions to inform the Committee’s work.

 

The EU Withdrawal Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 13 July 2017.

 

Report

 

The Committee’s report on the Great Repeal Bill and its implications for Wales was published in June 2017. Read the full report.

 

On the day the report was published, David Rees AM, Chair of the Committee, said:

 

“We recognise the scale of the challenge ahead and stand ready to play our part in delivering the legislative changes that will be needed to ensure we have workable laws after we leave the EU.

 

We hope that the new UK Government will take our concerns seriously and step-up its efforts to engage with the Welsh Government and the Assembly; take account of their views; and act on representations made in areas for which the Assembly and Welsh Ministers are responsible.”

Business type: Committee Inquiry

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Complete

First published: 06/04/2017

Documents

Consultations