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The Welsh Devolution Debate
11 September 1997
Wales Will Have Representation in Europe
Welsh Secretary Ron Davies has announced that a Welsh Assembly would have rights of negotiation in the European Council of Ministers after all. He said that a representative of the Assembly would be able to speak on behalf of the United Kingdom delegation at the Council of Ministers. There had been fears that Wales would be at a disadvantage compared with Scotland, which will have such rights if a Scottish parliament is established following today's referendum vote.
Denzil Davies, Labour MP for Llanelli still has concerns. On Wales Today he said that it indicated a degree of confusion and that at present no members of regional bodies in Europe actually negotiate in the Council of Ministers.
But the Government is now saying that in the Council of Ministers, where key decisions are made, an Assembly representative could sit alongside a UK minister when relevant. It's argued the Assembly would now have a direct influence on British policy in Europe.
Political Leaders Visit Wales
Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Liberal Democrat party is now in Wales for a two day visit as the day of the referendum vote draws nearer. Urging voters to back a Welsh Assembly he said it would be "opening the door for the whole of the UK for a constitutional modernisation which this country desperately needs".
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was also in Wales, touring the South Wales Valleys. Tonight he will make a keynote speech to rally the Yes vote, just hours before counting begins in Scotland.
"No" Campaigners Question Cost of Assembly
Campaigners for a "No" vote were out in force in Pembrokeshire today, arguing that the money to be spent on the Assembly would be far better spent on the infrastructure of Wales, on roads and on schools.
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