Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport would be making a statement on Rail Electrification.

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business. On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee determined the organisation of business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 27 January 2015 –

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Stage 4 Debate on the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

Business Managers considered a paper setting out detailed proposals for a debate structure on the draft Wales Bill based on the recommendations in the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s report. At its meeting of 24 November, Business Managers decided to schedule a 3 hour Plenary debate on Wednesday 13 January.

Business Managers decided to meet outside of committee before the Christmas recess to agree the overall structure of the debate.

On 17 November, Business Manages considered a paper to review the recommendations made by the CLA Committee in the report on its inquiry into making laws in Wales in so far as they relate to the Business Committee’s remit. On 30 November, following consultation with Party Groups, the committee agreed in principle to the CLA Committee’s recommendations, including proposed changes to Standing Orders.

Business Managers agreed to wait for the Minister for Finance and Government Business to circulate a note outlining her position on the recommendations before responding to the CLA committee in the New Year.

Following the committee’s consideration of the evidence put forward in response to the committee’s consultation on its Legacy Report at last week’s meeting, Business Managers agreed to consider a draft report in January.

Business Managers agreed a request by the Enterprise and Business Committee to visit Wrexham on Wednesday 27 January – Thursday 28 January 2016.

Business Managers considered proposals for new Standing Orders for Private and Hybrid Bills and agreed to consult with their groups and return to the paper at the meeting on 19 January 2016.