Ron Davies: "A real say for Wales"

Outlining the assembly in the Commons

Government Unveils Plans for Welsh Assembly.

Introducing the White Paper, "A Voice for Wales" Mr Davies said Wales would continue to share the same framework of laws as England. But he added: "In future, decisions on schools, health care and other key services will be taken by people directly elected by, and accountable to, Welsh voters and responsive to their views."

Elections to the Assembly will be the first main UK elections to use a form of proportional representation. The government expects the elections to take place in Spring 1999, providing the Welsh people endorse the plans in a referendum in September.

Michael Ancram: "Vast mess"

Ancram responds for the Opposition in the House

The Opposition Constitutional Affairs spokesman Michael Ancram told the Commons Mr Davies had brought forward "a vast constitutional mess". He claimed the Assembly would be an "expensive, bureaucratic talking shop."

The government estimates the cost of setting up the assembly would be between £12 million and £17 million pounds, with the running costs at an average of £15 million to £20 million a year.

The White Paper states that the government will:

• Abolish nine Welsh quangos and give the Assembly the power to reform and restructure many more.
• Give the Assembly control of the £7 billion Welsh Office budget and the two thousand staff it currently employs.
• Devolve to the Assembly most of the powers and the responsibilities currently held by the Welsh Secretary. However the position will continue as a link between Wales and Westminster, and Wales will continue to send 40 MPs to the Commons.

The Assembly will meet in an existing building in Cardiff, although a venue has not yet been chosen. It will have 60 members: one for each of the 40 constituencies in Wales and a further 20 elected by proportional representation from lists provided by the political parties.

This additional member system, unprecedented in the United Kingdom, is designed to ensure that the Assembly is representative of support for the political parties in Wales as a whole.

It must win public support for its plans in the Welsh referendum on September 18. And it must persuade Parliament to pass the forthcoming Wales Bill by this time next year.

A brass band plays at the Cardiff Castle party

A glitzy event marking the launch of the Yes for Wales campaign took place at Cardiff Castle on Tuesday night. Hosted by ITV weather woman Sian Lloyd, Mr Davies and Welsh Office Minister Peter Hain were also present.

And the Labour Party in Wales continues to be split over devolution. On Monday the 'No' campaign was launched -- one of its leading lights being the former Labour MP and Commons Speaker, Lord Tonypandy.