Meetings

NNDM6289 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Reiterates its strong support for the Welsh Government – Plaid Cymru White Paper, "Securing Wales Future" ­­ as a credible and comprehensive approach to protecting and promoting Wales' interests as the UK leaves the European Union.

2. Takes note of the letter sent by the Prime Minister on 29 March 2017 in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union, and the draft negotiating mandate published by the President of the European Council in response.

3. Further notes the UK Government's White Paper "Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union", published on 30 March 2017, setting out its proposals for legislation to give effect to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union but believes the analysis of the inter-relationship between the current powers of the EU and the devolution settlement is deeply flawed.

4. Reiterates that constitutional and governmental structures following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union must be based on full respect for the devolution settlement, and improved arrangements for the conduct of  inter-governmental relations based on mutual respect and parity of esteem between the four governments in the UK.

5. Further reiterates in the strongest terms that any frameworks relating to policy areas that are devolved that may be needed to ensure the smooth functioning of the UK market must be agreed by consensus between the UK Government and all three Devolved Administrations and be subject to independent dispute resolution mechanisms. The starting point for such common approaches and frameworks must be through agreement and consensus.

6. Supports the Welsh Government in continuing to press the UK Government for direct participation in the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from, and future trading and other relations with, the European Union, to ensure protection of distinctive Welsh interests.

7. Reaffirms its view that there should be no financial disadvantage to Wales arising from the UK's exit from the European Union, and calls on the UK Government to make a full and public commitment to that effect.

8. Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to report regularly to the Assembly on progress in relation to these matters.

Supporting Documents
Securing Wales' Future
Prime Minister's letter triggering Article 50
EU Draft Guidelines for Brexit Negotiations
Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union

The following amendments have been tabled:
Amendment 1 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the Welsh Government - Plaid Cymru White Paper, "Securing Wales Future" lacks credibility on account of its unrealistically pessimistic assumptions of the alleged costs of Brexit.

Amendment 2 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 3, delete 'but believes the analysis of the inter-relationship between the current powers of the EU and the devolution settlement is deeply flawed'.

Amendment 3 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 5, delete 'must be agreed' and replace with 'should be agreed'.

Amendment 4 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 5, delete 'The starting point for such common approaches and frameworks must be through agreement and consensus' and replace with:

'Recognises that the conduct of the Scottish and Welsh Governments in continuing to fight the referendum campaign after the result on June 23 2016 renders such an outcome unrealistic'.

Amendment 5 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Delete point 6.

Amendment 6 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that, should EU intransigence preclude a free trade agreement with the UK, the transitional costs of Brexit based on WTO rules would be significantly alleviated by the saving of Britain's £8 billion a year net contribution to the EU Budget, and a likely net revenue on tariffs on trade between the EU and UK of £8 billion a year.

Amendment 7 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a continuation (Wales) bill in order to uphold Wales's constitution and convert into Welsh law all European legislation related to devolved policy areas.

 

The item started at 14.40

 

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

 

NNDM6289 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Reiterates its strong support for the Welsh Government – Plaid Cymru White Paper, "Securing Wales Future" ­­ as a credible and comprehensive approach to protecting and promoting Wales' interests as the UK leaves the European Union.

2. Takes note of the letter sent by the Prime Minister on 29 March 2017 in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union, and the draft negotiating mandate published by the President of the European Council in response.

3. Further notes the UK Government's White Paper "Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union", published on 30 March 2017, setting out its proposals for legislation to give effect to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union but believes the analysis of the inter-relationship between the current powers of the EU and the devolution settlement is deeply flawed.

4. Reiterates that constitutional and governmental structures following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union must be based on full respect for the devolution settlement, and improved arrangements for the conduct of  inter-governmental relations based on mutual respect and parity of esteem between the four governments in the UK.

 

5. Further reiterates in the strongest terms that any frameworks relating to policy areas that are devolved that may be needed to ensure the smooth functioning of the UK market must be agreed by consensus between the UK Government and all three Devolved Administrations and be subject to independent dispute resolution mechanisms. The starting point for such common approaches and frameworks must be through agreement and consensus.

6. Supports the Welsh Government in continuing to press the UK Government for direct participation in the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from, and future trading and other relations with, the European Union, to ensure protection of distinctive Welsh interests.

7. Reaffirms its view that there should be no financial disadvantage to Wales arising from the UK's exit from the European Union, and calls on the UK Government to make a full and public commitment to that effect.

8. Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to report regularly to the Assembly on progress in relation to these matters.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the Welsh Government - Plaid Cymru White Paper, "Securing Wales Future" lacks credibility on account of its unrealistically pessimistic assumptions of the alleged costs of Brexit.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	10	38	54

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 3, delete 'but believes the analysis of the inter-relationship between the current powers of the EU and the devolution settlement is deeply flawed'.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	38	54

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 5, delete 'must be agreed' and replace with 'should be agreed'.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	38	54

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

In point 5, delete 'The starting point for such common approaches and frameworks must be through agreement and consensus' and replace with:

'Recognises that the conduct of the Scottish and Welsh Governments in continuing to fight the referendum campaign after the result on June 23 2016 renders such an outcome unrealistic'.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	10	37	53

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Delete point 6.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	38	54

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that, should EU intransigence preclude a free trade agreement with the UK, the transitional costs of Brexit based on WTO rules would be significantly alleviated by the saving of Britain's £8 billion a year net contribution to the EU Budget, and a likely net revenue on tariffs on trade between the EU and UK of £8 billion a year.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	10	38	54

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

Amendment 7 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a continuation (Wales) bill in order to uphold Wales's constitution and convert into Welsh law all European legislation related to devolved policy areas.

A vote was taken on amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
9	39	6	54

Amendment 7 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NNDM6289 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Reiterates its strong support for the Welsh Government – Plaid Cymru White Paper, "Securing Wales Future" ­­ as a credible and comprehensive approach to protecting and promoting Wales' interests as the UK leaves the European Union.

2. Takes note of the letter sent by the Prime Minister on 29 March 2017 in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union, and the draft negotiating mandate published by the President of the European Council in response.

3. Further notes the UK Government's White Paper "Legislating for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union", published on 30 March 2017, setting out its proposals for legislation to give effect to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union but believes the analysis of the inter-relationship between the current powers of the EU and the devolution settlement is deeply flawed.

4. Reiterates that constitutional and governmental structures following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union must be based on full respect for the devolution settlement, and improved arrangements for the conduct of  inter-governmental relations based on mutual respect and parity of esteem between the four governments in the UK.

5. Further reiterates in the strongest terms that any frameworks relating to policy areas that are devolved that may be needed to ensure the smooth functioning of the UK market must be agreed by consensus between the UK Government and all three Devolved Administrations and be subject to independent dispute resolution mechanisms. The starting point for such common approaches and frameworks must be through agreement and consensus.

6. Supports the Welsh Government in continuing to press the UK Government for direct participation in the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from, and future trading and other relations with, the European Union, to ensure protection of distinctive Welsh interests.

7. Reaffirms its view that there should be no financial disadvantage to Wales arising from the UK's exit from the European Union, and calls on the UK Government to make a full and public commitment to that effect.

8. Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to report regularly to the Assembly on progress in relation to these matters.

9. Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a continuation (Wales) bill in order to uphold Wales's constitution and convert into Welsh law all European legislation related to devolved policy areas.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	1	16	54

The motion as amended was agreed.