Welsh Secretary “deeply disappointed” to have to cancel debate on the future electoral arrangement for Wales
Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan has expressed her dismay at the obstructive stance taken by the Official Opposition.
Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan has expressed her dismay at the obstructive stance taken by the Official Opposition over the proposed Welsh Grand Committee scheduled for Monday 2 July. The Welsh Grand was due to meet at 11.30am to debate the recently launched Wales Office consultation on the future electoral arrangements for the National Assembly of Wales.
As a result of opposition to the Welsh Grand Committee being scheduled on a Monday morning, the Secretary of State has told the House of Commons during Welsh Questions that she plans to cancel the debate.
Mrs Gillan said:
The debate on the consultation I launched in May looking at the future electoral arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales is an important one. I was looking forward to debating the issues in this green paper, so I am deeply disappointed that the official opposition have chosen to play party politics. I do not think most people would have difficulty in turning up to work at 11.30am on a Monday morning.
So in view of the extraordinary position taken by the Shadow Welsh Secretary, I feel there is no other choice than to cancel this debate. It is disappointing that the opposition have had the opportunity to debate this important Welsh issue, but have chosen not to take it.
However as the consultation is open to all people in Wales, I urge them to make their views known by visiting the Wales Office website and taking part.
Notes for editors
- Find more information regarding the green papers on the future electoral arrangements for the National Assembly
- On Monday 11 December 2000, Welsh Grand Committee convened to debate the legislative programme and pre-Budget Statement at 10:30am.
- The Better Governance for Wales white paper was published in June 2005. No debate took place either in the Welsh Grand committee or on the Floor of the House.
- On Monday 18 June 2012, the House of Lords debated this green paper in Grand Committee.