Member

Amendment 11 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Hain, was led today by the noble Lord, Lord Murphy of Torfaen, and was supported by the Minister, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Thomas, and the noble Baroness, Lady Humphreys. It requires that one commissioner is to have a legal responsibility to give advice about Crown Estate activities and the use of resources in Wales. Welsh Ministers will be part of the decision-making process for who that individual will be. The UK Government making this concession, although a small first step, is a clear recognition of the feeling that Wales is not getting a fair deal from the Crown Estate as it stands. I support this step as an intermediate measure rather than as an end point. I hope that the Welsh Government will utilise this new position in the best interests of Wales by making sure that the people of Wales benefit directly from the use of their natural resources and have a say in their management. However, having a say is no replacement for full control, which is what Wales needs.