Welsh Affairs Select Committee gives its view on LCO process

Westminster's Welsh Affairs Select Committee has published a report on
the Legislative Competence Order (LCO) process - the mechanism for the
Assembly to bring forward proposals to extend its lawmaking powers.

The Committee says many aspects of the process are now working well and
that parties involved have overcome early challenges and have adapted to
make the new system work.

However, procedural problems persist, most notably the lack of
transparency in the Whitehall clearance process, and the Committee says
it will take a more proactive approach in this area to ensure a speedier
resolution of issues.

Key findings of the Committee are:

* LCOs must be more user-friendly and contain 'what it says on the
tin': a more straightforward approach to drafting proposed Orders and
Explanatory Memoranda is required

* The Wales Office should report to the Committee monthly on the
progress of all LCOs within Whitehall. Where the Committee is
dissatisfied, relevant ministers will be called before the Committee to
identify outstanding issues

* Joint working with Assembly Committees has been highly
productive. Informal meetings with Assembly Committee members have
generally been a more practical option for scrutiny than formal joint
meetings

* LCOs should be referred to the Welsh Grand Committee only when
there are matters of general public concern or controversy or specific
areas of concern amongst MPs

Click here to see the full report.