National Assembly
for Wales
March 2012
Conventions for the operation of committees when considering
legislation
In accordance with Standing Order 11.7(iv), the Business Committee is responsible for making recommendations on the general practice and procedures of the Assembly.
On 6 March 2012, the Business Committee reviewed the conventions that were in place for legislation committees of the Third Assembly and considered how these might be applied to the committee structure of the Fourth Assembly.
The subject committees established in the Fourth Assembly are responsible both for the scrutiny of the government and for undertaking Stages 1 and 2 of any Assembly Bills in their policy area.
The Business Committee agreed that the conventions set out below should be followed when subject committees are considering Assembly Bills. These are in addition to the provisions of Standing Order 17:
1) Member in Charge
The Member in charge of an Assembly Bill will be given permission by the Chair to attend all relevant meetings and participate in proceedings but will not be able to vote. Amendments tabled by the Member in charge will always be moved (formally by the Chair if no other committee member does so).
2) Participation by Relevant Minister (Member and Committee Bills)
In the case of a Member or Committee Bill, the relevant Minister (or Deputy Minister) will be given permission to attend all relevant meetings and participate in proceedings, but will not be able to vote. Amendments tabled by the Minister will always be moved (formally by the Chair if no other committee member does so).