Decision details

The Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee has agreed to carry out a short inquiry into law making and the Church in Wales. While the Assembly has no powers in respect of matrimonial law, the Welsh Church Act 1914,  disestablishing the Church in Wales, is a part of the Welsh constitution and, therefore, of interest to this committee.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are to:

• take expert evidence on the legal background concerning ecclesiastical law as it affects the Church in Wales;
• take evidence on the processes for making laws regarding the Church in Wales at Westminster;
• take evidence from the Church in Wales about its inclusion in the UK Government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill;
• make recommendations about law making and the Church in Wales.

The Committee took written and oral evidence from:

Professor Norman Doe (CIW1)

Professor Thomas Glyn Watkin (CIW2)

The Most Reverend Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Llandaff (CIW3)

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NDM5295 David Melding (South Wales Central)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on its inquiry into Law-making and the Church in Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 13 June 2013.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.