05 December 2008
By Mike Thatcher
Wales received only the 'crumbs off the table' when the National Assembly was established in 1998, according to the mandarin advising on extending devolution in the principality.
Sir Emyr Jones Parry, chair of the All Wales Convention, said that the initial experience of devolution had been much weaker in Wales than in Scotland. 'Scotland got everything except some things that were reserved,' he said. 'Wales got the crumbs off the table.'
Enhanced powers were provided under the Government of Wales Act 2006, but these are still inferior to the responsibilities enjoyed by the Scottish Parliament, he said.
'Most legislation passed in Wales in the past nine years has been by ministers acting under powers delegated to them from Westminster legislation,' Jones Parry added.
The All Wales Convention was set up in 2007 and is examining the case for a referendum on full law-making powers for the Assembly.
Jones Parry is the former UK permanent representative to the United Nations.
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