NDM8300 Plaid Cymru Debate - Devolution of justice and policing

NDM8300 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that over a quarter of a century since devolution, Wales remains the only devolved nation without its own legal system and powers over its police forces, despite there being no rational basis for this.

2. Believes that:

a) powers over justice and policing should be fully devolved to Wales; and

b) establishing a distinct Welsh legal system and making Welsh police forces fully accountable to the Senedd can be vital steps along the road to independence.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to formally request powers over justice and policing.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after sub-point 2 (a) and replace with:

establishing a distinct Welsh legal system and making Welsh police forces fully accountable to the Senedd can be vital steps to ensuring that justice and policing can be better delivered for the benefit of the people of Wales; and

the Commission on Justice in Wales set out clearly why powers over justice should be wholly devolved and a Welsh legal jurisdiction established.

Calls on the Welsh Government to continue pursuing the case and preparing for the devolution of policing and justice.