Wales Bill — House of Commons, 2016-06-14
Topic: Government Operations
Guto ap Owain Bebb (Conservative, Centre-right): In my view, it is unlikely that the report will be produced before the Committee stage, but it is possible that it will be with us before Report and Third Reading. Obviously, decisions relating to Report and Third Reading will be made by the Leader of the House. I hope that that gives the hon. Lady some certainty As I was saying, this is an important Bill. It clarifies the devolution settlement and puts into place the St David’s day agreement. It makes devolution clearer by putting in place a reserved powers model of devolution for Wales, with a clearer line between what is devolved and what is reserved, and I think that most people in Wales—especially the politicians—will welcome that clarity. It strengthens devolution through a further historic transfer of powers, and those powers will make a real difference to the lives of people in Wales. It will make devolution fairer, and it removes the requirement for a referendum before the devolution of income tax in order to ensure that that accountability exists. It is fair to say that we have listened to the concerns raised during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill and made significant changes to try to address those concerns. As a result, we have in front of us a much improved Bill that deserves to go before a Committee of this House. I commend the Bill to the House Question put and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. WALES BILL (PROGRAMME) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A(7)), That the following provisions shall apply to the Wales Bill: Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole House Proceedings in Committee 2. Proceedings in the Committee of the whole House shall be completed in two days 3. The proceedings shall be taken on the days shown in the first column of the following Table and in the order so shown 4. The proceedings shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the times specified in the second column of the Table Table Proceedings Time for conclusion of proceedings First day Clauses 1 and 2, Clause 4, Schedule 4, Clauses 5 to 19, Schedule 3, Clauses 20 and 21, new Clauses relating to those Clauses and Schedules, new Schedules relating to those Clauses and Schedules. Six hours after the commencement ofproceedings on the first day. Second day Clause 3, Schedules 1 and 2, new clauses relating to Clause 3 and Schedules 1 and 2, new Schedules relating to Clause 3 and Schedules 1 and 2. Three hours after the commencement ofproceedings on the second day. Clauses 22 to 50, new Clauses relating to those Clauses, new Schedules relating tothose Clauses, Clause 51, Schedule 5, Clause 52, Schedule 6, Clauses 53 and 54, remaining new Clauses, remaining new Schedules, remaining proceedings on the Bill. Six hours after the commencement ofproceedings on the second day. Proceedings on Consideration and up to and including Third Reading 5. Any proceedings on Consideration and any proceedings in Legislative Grand Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which proceedings on Consideration are commenced 6. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day Programming committee 7. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings in Committee of the whole House, to any proceedings on Consideration or to other proceedings up to and including Third Reading Other proceedings 8. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages from the Lords) may be programmed.—(Stephen Barclay.) Question agreed to.