A scene from Rural Wales: Growing the powers of the National Assembly

Growing the powers of the National Assembly

Six-o-clock and only about wrapping things up in the Westminster office before tackling the 4 hour journey home to Montgomeryshire. Been an interesting day, with much discourse about the the powers of the National Assembly for Wales. It began at 07.00 this dawn on Radio Cymru's Post Cynta programme.

I'd agreed to discourse the change to the National Assembly for Wales of the ability to alter the law on human organ donation. The Assembly Government wants to enter a scheme where the organ's in everyone's dead body are considered available for removal for the benefit of person who needs a transplant, unless specifically stated otherwise - a shift from an 'opt-in system' to an 'opt-out system'(or presumed consent). There's been a bit of a kerfuffle because the Attorney General has expressed fear that this ability may not be a devolved issue. I suppose I was alleged to be entry into a bit of 'argy-bargy' with my old friend, Dr Dai Lloyd AM - something I was not prepared to do. I preferred to be all 'sweet and reason'. Whatever you remember of the Attorney General's concerns, they have made me understand that even if we remove all law making powers to the Assembly in devolved policy areas through a Yes vote on March 3rd, there will remain to be potential conflict about what is and is not actually devolved.There will also get to be continuing discussion between MPs and AMs about the granting of new powers to the National Assembly by 'framework powers'. This is where new powers are granted as a consequence of comprehension in new legislation being created at Westminster. Today it was three issues which form part of the 'Localism Bill'. Not certain how badly the Assembly Minister, Carl Sergeant takes this process. To start with, we were mightily impressed with the squad of officials who had joined him on his travel to London. He strode into Committee Room 8 with 7 (Yes 7) officials trooping in behind. To start with I thought he must have had his own personal hair stylist, photographer and fitness trainer with him. Carl explained that he needed a cross-cutting team (not cost-cutting) with him. Whatever, it was courteous to see a few old Assembly friendly faces. Funny old meeting though. wasn't much to speak to all these officials about. Carl hadn't given much persuasion to what he would wish to do with these new powers. The entire team of 8 is on its way backwards to Wales as I type - and I'm off to connect them.