| Dear Sir
The first point I should like to make is to do with
the lack of information provided to the general public
on the task in hand for the Richards Commission. Apparently
there have been meetings in which the public are able
to attend, yet I have failed to notice any announcement
about this on radio or television; in newspapers; or
on the internet. From the setting up of the Commission
to its first information being put onto the Assembly
website took a considerable time. The invitation to
provide a response has remained with a telephone number
and address which terminated on the 20 December 2002.
It can only be speculated that the Commission may be
working as: A token body to satisfy a demand from the
Welsh public. Or With a hidden agenda and results already
decided at Westminster.
This I hope is not true.
I do hope that members of the Commission will not accuse
the public of apathy when it comes to draw its conclusions.
Nevertheless I will try to make a response to the way
the Commission should work.
I think the body should look into the work of regional
government in Europe, in particular the states of Spain,
Germany and Switzerland. These forms of government may
not be wholly applicable to Wales, but any good practice
may worth noting.
I also think that a review of the national governments
of the small states of Europe, in particular Ireland,
Norway and Finland. It should be noted the enormity
of their contribution to world affairs particularly
through the United Nations.
The question could then be asked if Wales would be
able to provide a similar contribution if the Assembly
had more powers or even became "separated" from the
institution in London.
When making its deliberations, I feel the Commission
should list exactly what are the advantages, with evidence,
of being ruled by a parliament in England.
Also it should list exactly what are the disadvantages,
with evidence, of increasing powers to the Assembly.
I hope that the above will be of some use, but above
all I do think that the public need to be informed and
treated in a more responsible fashion.
Yours faithfully,
R L Howell
|
