Prime Minister's speech welcomed
11th July 2007
Aberavon's MP Dr Hywel Francis has today warmly welcomed Prime Minister Gordon Brown's statement on the Queen's Speech as a major democratic advance towards more open government for the people of Wales and Britain.
Dr Francis said,
'The Prime Minister's announcement today to allow the Government's Queen's Speech for the first time in over one hundred and fifty years to be subject of widespread and informed public consultation.
This is a major democratic advance by ensuring that Parliament and the wider public can be involved in shaping future legislation. His proposal for citizen's juries in our localities is most welcome.
I also welcome the priorities given to affordable housing, world class education and skills - including better grants for poorer students and tackling climate change and securing our energy supply.
The Prime Minister's statement today affords the opportunity for the Welsh Affairs Committee to scrutinize at a very early stage proposed UK wide legislation and to see whether these measures can be improved for the benefit of the people of Wales, alongside of course the new powers which we are about to use in Westminster and Cardiff Bay.
