Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

We'll then go on to item 3, which is instruments that raise issues to be reported to the Senedd under Standing Order 21.2 or 21.3 that we have previously considered. We have three items to look at under this section.

The first of those is item 3.1, SL(6)379, the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2023. We have the report and a Welsh Government response in our packs. We considered this instrument at our meeting last week and we then laid our report the following day. So, I just invite Members to consider the Welsh Government response to the report, which we have subsequently received. Are we happy to note that? We are. Thank you very much.

Item 3.2, SL(6)380, the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2023. Again, we have a report and the Welsh Government response in our packs. We considered this instrument on our committee at our meeting last week and we laid our report the following day. Again, I simply ask Members to note and consider the Welsh Government's response to that report, which we have now received.

If you're happy to do so, we'll move on to item 3.3, SL(6)381, the Firefighters' Pensions (Remediable Service) (Wales) Regulations 2023. Again, we have a report and the Welsh Government response in our packs. We considered this instrument at last week's meeting as well, and we reported the following day, and, again, it's to note and consider the Welsh Government's response.

So, if we're content with those, we can move on to item 4, where we have notifications and correspondence under the inter-institutional relations agreement. The first in this section is item 4.1. We have a written statement and correspondence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip in respect of the Interministerial Group for Safety, Security and Migration. So, if Members are happy to note the correspondence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip in relation to the meeting of that group, which took place on 11 July, just to note that the letter informs us that the areas of discussion focused on immigration and national security. During the meeting, the Minister informs us, she expressed Welsh Government's concerns on aspects of the Illegal Migration Bill and UK Government delays in processing asylum applications. The letter also informs us that the next meeting is due in November.

Item 4.2, we have a written statement and correspondence from the Minister for Economy in respect of the Interministerial Group for Trade, a meeting of which took place on 7 September. The Minister informs us that, during the meeting, there were discussions regarding the latest updates on the India and Canada free trade agreement negotiations and the latest developments also around the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Item 4.3, then, we have correspondence with the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd in respect of regulations to implement the Windsor framework, that suite of regulations. The Minister responds to our letter of 18 September, where we asked some specific questions about those regulations. Now, amongst other things, we had requested a copy of the memorandum of understanding that the Welsh Government referred to in the the Windsor

Framework (Retail Movement Scheme) Regulations 2023, which the Welsh Government said

'will set out an agreement process to operate for any future possible changes to the Scheme',

which is clearly of interest to us. The Minister said that

'Work is ongoing to finalise version 1 of the MoU'

and she will share a version with the committee once it's been published, which we are grateful for.

Item 4.4, then, we have correspondence from the Minister for Finance and Local Government in respect of the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee meeting that took place on 20 September. The Minister tells us that those in attendance agreed the revised terms of reference and the operating protocols for the group, and the letter goes on to detail the topics of discussion. And to note as well, the Scottish Government will host the next meeting, which will be in January.

And then, item 4.5, we have correspondence from the Minister for Climate Change in respect of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations 2023. We note the correspondence with the Minister in respect of those regulations, and just to note that the Minister responds to our letter of 15 September, in which we asked questions relating to the consent process that has been followed in respect of the regulations, engagement through the common framework structures and the impact of the regulations on retained EU law. The response is helpful to us, and we might want to defer some discussion to the private session, so we'll return to that.

Item 4.6, then, we have correspondence from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd in which she informs us of her intention to consent to the UK Government laying the Official Controls (Plant Health) (Prior Notification) and Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) Regulations 2023. The Minister notes that the regulations update aspects of the phytosanitary conditions regulations, and they introduce an amendment to enable provisions within the borders target operating model. The Minister confirms that, although the regulations relate to a devolved area, they impact on imports of plants and plant products GB wide. So, the Minister states,

'it is normally the policy of the Welsh Government to legislate for Wales in matters of devolved competence.'

But, on this occasion, she considers it appropriate for these regulations to be laid by the UK Government. Secondly, the Minister states that there is no policy divergence between the Welsh and UK Governments in this matter. And lastly, introducing separate regulations in Wales and England may cause additional burdens on the Animal and Plant Health Agency, businesses, traders and growers. So, we appreciate that explanation from the Minister.

And then, colleagues, finally within the public session, we also have some correspondence to note. I'll take these in order. There are two items to note. First of all, there's a letter from the Welsh Language Commissioner, under item 5.1, in which she requests a meeting to discuss her priorities as commissioner as well as the relevance of the Welsh language to our committee's area of work. So, if you're happy, we might return to this in private session.

Under item 5.2, we have a letter from the Finance Committee to the Minister for Finance and Local Government in respect of the 2024-25 draft budget and her engagement with the committee on ways that the ministerial written evidence on Welsh Government's draft budget proposals can be improved. This is of particular interest to us, not least on the justice element of the budget.

So, colleagues, with that, if you're happy now to move into private session, can I put to you the motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public for the remainder of the meeting and that we'll move into private? Are you happy? We are.