Government Response: The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Devolved Welsh Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2024

Technical Scrutiny point 2:

The Committee noted the headnote did not include a reference to the draft being laid before the Senedd.

The draft was prepared to be consistent with the headnote on Orders in Council previously made under section 109 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. The drafts of the most recent examples as laid before the Senedd, SI 2019/1506 and SI 2021/290, can be accessed here and here.

Headnotes do not appear in final versions of Orders as made. Significantly, the role of the Senedd in approving the draft is included in the introduction, which will form part of the final Order. However, the Welsh Government considers that a reference to the Senedd should have been included in the headnote as a matter of good practice.

As the wording of the headnote does not affect the operation of the Order, and the Senedd’s approval is indicated in the introduction, we do not propose to seek an amendment to the draft in this case; this will avoid any further delays to the Order being made. However, we have asked the Wales Office to ensure the headnotes of future draft Orders include a reference to the Senedd’s role in the process.  

Merits Scrutiny point 3:

A Written Statement was issued to Members updating them on the status of the Order following the dissolution of Parliament. We will of course keep Members informed of progress on the Order once the new UK Government is formed and parliamentary business is resumed following the general election.