All 3 Petitions debates in the Commons on 12th Sep 2013

Petitions

Thursday 12th September 2013

(10 years, 8 months ago)

Petitions
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Thursday 12 September 2013

A Welsh Second Chamber

Thursday 12th September 2013

(10 years, 8 months ago)

Petitions
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The Petition of Gruffydd Meredith,
Declares that there is a need for a second scrutinising chamber—a “Ty” r bobol”/ “Citizen House”, made up of Welsh citizens chosen at random from all over Wales in the citizen jury style system; further declares there should also be representation by independent non-party affiliated experts and spokespeople from all fields suggested by small to medium-sized businesses, non charity community groups, schools and colleges; further declares that this system of demarchy would provide Welsh politics with a much needed opportunity for independent scrutiny by the people and would make sure that the Welsh legislative process and the Welsh Government in general are able to be challenged and truly held to account where necessary.
The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons make the necessary amendment of the Government of Wales Act 2006 and any other relevant act in order to facilitate the forming of a second scrutinising chamber in Wales made up of Welsh citizens chosen at random in the jury style system.
And the Petitioner remains etc.—[Presented by Kevin Brennan, Official Report, 16 July 2013; Vol. 566, c. 1062.]
[P001212]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Wales:
While the petitioner’s proposal is an interesting one, and the Government are keen that as many people as possible are engaged with the political process, I am content that the Government of Wales Act 2006 sets out appropriate mechanisms for the scrutiny of Assembly legislation without the need to introduce a second chamber. These include powers for the Secretary of State to intervene in certain cases and for the Attorney-General or the Counsel General to refer questions of whether a Bill or any provision of a Bill is within competence to the Supreme Court for a decision. The Act also sets out a clear framework for Assembly Standing Orders to include processes for scrutinising Assembly Bills.

Signage of the Welsh Senedd Building

Thursday 12th September 2013

(10 years, 8 months ago)

Petitions
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The Petition of Gruffydd Meredith,
Declares that up to 12 million people from all over the world visit Cardiff bay and pass the Senedd building annually yet the majority of these must have no idea what the Senedd building actually is or does, as they have no way of knowing unless they enter the building and ask the staff; further that Wales must be one of the few countries in the world that is does not have a sign denoting its own national parliament and that the Senedd building is one of Wales’ most important institutions and belongs to the people of Wales; further that there is a need and duty for the Senedd building to therefore showcase and make itself known to all the citizens of Wales as well as to the rest of the world.
The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons makes the necessary amendment to the Government of Wales Act 2006 and any other relevant act in order to facilitate the renaming of the current National Assembly for Wales or Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru to Senedd Cymru (Parliament of Wales), placing a large sign on the main public entrance of the Senedd building overlooking Cardiff bay, with prominent lettering denoting “Senedd Cymru” (Parliament of Wales), together with an impressive Welsh flag placed centrally at the front top of the sloping roofed entrance.
And the Petitioner remains etc.—[Presented by Kevin Brennan, Official Report, 16 July 2013; Vol. 566, c. 1061.]
[P001210]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Wales:
The Government of Wales Act 2006 sets out that
“there is to be an Assembly for Wales to be known as the National Assembly for Wales or Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru”.
This name, as well as the unique design of the Senedd building, is well-established in the minds of the people of Wales and the Government have no plans to change it. The design of the signage outside the Senedd building is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.