Dear Mr Richards

If the intention in creating an Assembly is to enable elected representatives in Wales to find solutions to solving their problems then the legislative maze created has disabled this function.

It would be preferable for the Assembly to have full legislative competence in some areas and none in others rather than trying to part solve problems across a wide area.

It would be easy to make a case that Wales and Scotland should have the same powers devolved on the basis of equality and I believe that your commission should do this on such a basis.

The ability of the Assembly to draw up the legislation that it requires and pass it to Westminster for approval also needs to be looked at. Is there anything restricting the powers of the Assembly in drafting and debating legislation. Scotland drew up legislation and passed it to Westminster long before it had a parliament. If our MPs can draft bills in Parliament why can't the same people as AM's do so in Cardiff? Maybe the drafting of legislation in the first instance could be contracted out to Scotland or to our University!

The role of the Wales Office in legislation also needs to be examined. Where the government at Westminster and that in Cardiff are of the same political colour then the views of the two institutions are likely to be similar, but how does the system operate when the institutions are controlled by different interests and disagree? The complexities of the situation whereby an office of the Westminster government could handle legislation it doesn't agree with on behalf of the Assembly leads one to the conclusion that granting the Assembly Primary legislative powers is the logical conclusion sooner rather than later. Should not the Assembly have a London office and representative?

I mentioned briefly above the fact that the University could have a role to play. As an institution that should become more involved in the affairs of the Assembly the University could not only facilitate the drafting of legislation but research could also be commissioned by the Assembly on the nature of the laws that are required. What good practice exists in law that could be learnt from other UK parliaments or those overseas? The function of research is a power that exists that hasn't been utilised. The use of this competence in Scotland has undoubted benefits for both the Parliament and the Universities.

I'm sure that many examples will be given to the commission highlighting the lack of powers and the complexity of the present settlement. In the public's mind's eye the Assembly can do very little and this is displayed by a lack of power in things that affect their daily lives.

The Assembly cannot deliver a bank holiday on St David's day or even determine the conditions for its own staff. Do not the quangos funded by the Assembly have these powers?

Surely the Assembly should have a role in the Fire Service - is it not illogical that it has powers over some emergency services and not others. Transport has probably been mentioned - but how can it be properly integrated when different forms of public transport are controlled by different levels of government.

Primary legislation may be one of the powers lacking in the Assembly but fiscal powers also need to be considered. Not necessarily the power to raise finance but the power to be responsible and responsive as a public body. An authority that is given a set amount is likely to spend it and then ask for more, whereas an authority that has to plead to the public to raise the last say 5% of its budget is likely to be more responsible. The powers of the Assembly to both raise finance and borrow moneys need examining. The solution given to Scotland is unlikely to prove satisfactory if it is utilised both from the relatively small amount that can be raised and the complexities of where people register for taxes. A solution needs to be found that allows the Assembly to vary a significant number of taxes by a small amount rather than raise all its needs by one form of tax. An Assembly budget on beer, tobacco and petrol could prove popular! Community councils have the power to raise taxes - why not the Assembly?

I understand that you will be discussing the number of AMs necessary to do the job effectively. I think you need to discuss the role of the Quangos and their accountability. Are they not departments of other governments? The Quangos appear to act as independent bodies and. the Assembly only shows its surprise when they have acted inappropriately after a long time. The National Quangos should both hold their meetings and have 2 members of the Assembly as members or observers for accountability. They appear to be hands off rather than hands on functions of the Assembly which have invariably led members to complain that they have no powers or finance when they are all delegated elsewhere...If the Quangos operated in this way there is a strong argument for more Assembly Members to monitor and input to them effectively. I understand the Objective 1 committee functions in this way. The Quangos should also reflect a political balance in 2/3 of their membership. If greater powers were devolved this would also support an argument for more members.

Consideration should also be given to the need for representation for the view of the Assembly in the reformed House of Lords. Should not the Assembly be granted representatives and speaking rights if bills for Wales are to be handled there, or will primary legislation be devolved.

Finally consideration should be given to the need for a President of the Institution. The Assembly needs a President (nominated in the first instance) in particular in its overseas functions - especially in trade fairs and in Brussels. It is not appropriate for the First Minister to have to travel around the globe when the Assembly is sitting. Other countries use this role effectively. The Assembly should find such, or similar roles for senior retiring members!