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Draft Wales Bill: MPs and AMs hear devolution evidence Draft Wales Bill: More AMs could boost scrutiny, MPs told
(about 2 hours later)
MPs and assembly members will join forces for a rare meeting to examine new powers on offer to Wales. Increasing the number of assembly members could boost scrutiny of the Welsh government, Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies has said.
He was giving evidence to MPs on the Welsh Affairs committee, who came to Cardiff to hear evidence about plans for further devolution.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood called for an increase from 60 to 100 AMs.
Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said there should be more AMs, but fewer Welsh MPs.
Westminster's Welsh Affairs committee and the assembly's constitutional and legislative affairs committee are holding separate and joint meetings on Monday examining new powers on offer to Wales.
More say over energy, transport and assembly elections are among the proposals in the draft Wales Bill published in October.More say over energy, transport and assembly elections are among the proposals in the draft Wales Bill published in October.
The UK government has disputed claims that a new "reserved powers" model will weaken the assembly's current powers. Mr Davies told the MPs: "More AMs most probably could do better scrutiny.
MPs and AMs will question legal experts, academics and politicians at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. "I don't think there's an argument out there yet that has settled on a number."
Westminster's Welsh Affairs committee and the assembly's constitutional and legislative affairs committee will hold separate and joint meetings on Monday. He added that the way the Wales Bill was drafted meant there would be no extra funding to pay for more AMs, so the assembly would have to pick up the cost.
First Minister Carwyn Jones is among those giving evidence, along with the opposition leaders in the assembly. In response to a question about the workload of the assembly, Ms Wood said that "somewhere between 80 and 100 for the place to work properly", but added that it should cost no more.
Monmouth MP David Davies, the Welsh Affairs chairman, said: "I am pleased that our committees will be coming together to scrutinise the UK government's proposals." Ms Williams said: "Any increase would lead to a decrease in the number of MPs.
On Wednesday, Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies added his voice to those concerned about his own party's plans for further devolution. "There is no appetite to spend more money on politicians."
Mr Davies said he did not want devolution to "move backwards", with Welsh ministers needing permission from UK ministers to make laws more often. First Minister Carwyn Jones will also give evidence, along with legal experts and academics.
First Minister Carwyn Jones has claimed the reserved powers model - which lists the responsibilities remaining at Westminster - amounts to an "English veto on Welsh laws". The UK government has rejected claims by Mr Jones and other AMs that a new "reserved powers" model - which names the responsibilities remaining at Westminster - will weaken the assembly's current powers.
The UK government's Wales Office rejected the claim as "complete nonsense". Sir Paul Silk, who published two reports on Welsh devolution for the UK government, warned against rushing into fresh legislation.
He told the Welsh Affairs committee he recommended "doing it in a more considered way and doing it right".