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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Welsh Minister must not be bullied by MPs over housing powers
November 7, 2008 12:00 AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson Peter Black has said Welsh Ministers will have his party's backing to take on the UK government in the row over powers to scrap the right to buy.
At present, a bid by the Labour-Plaid Government for the powers in this area is waiting for a formal judgement from the Secretary of State, after a Labour-dominated committee of MPs said the Assembly government should not be given all the powers it is seeking. Indications from the Wales Office, suggest Paul Murphy agrees with the Welsh Affairs Select Committee's recommendation - to only devolve powers to suspend the right to buy, rather than the full powers, which include the ability to scrap it altogether.
Mr Black said: "Assembly Ministers must not be bullied by the mutterings from MPs. They will have my full support to fight for the full powers to be devolved.
"There is no compelling reason why the Assembly should not have the full powers concerning the right to buy. Given the length of time the legislative process takes, it makes sense to send the broadest possible powers down the M4 to Cardiff Bay.
"Hauliers like to make sure their trucks are full before they send them out - to maximise efficiency. If MPs really do feel 'swamped' by the Assembly's legislative ambition, they should fill the truck and give us the full powers now, rather than sending a half-empty load to Cardiff.
"The Labour Party's divisions on devolution are a growing barrier to the successful operation of devolved government. By stifling the bid for powers, Labour MPs may imagine they are slowing down devolution. My fear is that in showing the ridiculousness of the present settlement, they are fuelling an appetite in Wales for their own destruction.
"If Labour MPs continue to act as an anchor, holding back reform in Wales, people will increasingly ask whether we need them any more."
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