Welsh Journals

SUPPLEMENT TO THE WELSH OUTLOOK MARCH, 1919 GOVERNMENT OF WALES The following is the text of the Bill to amend the provision of the Government of Wales, introduced in the House of Commons on March 11th, 1914, by Mr. E. T. John, Sir David Brynmor Jones, Sir Ivor Herbert, Sir Alfred Mond, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Watt, Mr. Brace, Mr. John Edwards, Mr. Hinds, Mr. Haydn Jones, Mr. Towyn Jones, and Mr. Richards. MEMORANDUM. This Bill, in accordance with the policy of devolution initiated by the Government of Ireland Bill, establishes in Wales a single chamber Parliament for the transaction of the affairs of Wales (including the county of Monmouth) to con- sist of 95 members returned by the constituencies as provided in the Schedule of this Bill. The right of voting at parliamentary elections is accorded to all adult citizens [subject to the disqualifications to the exercise of the parliamentary franchise existing under the present law, except the disqualification based upon sex, and it is proposed that the elections shall be conducted by ballotj. The representation of Wales in the House of Commons will be 34, this arrangement being regarded as temporary until English affairs are dealt with by an English legislature. The powers of the Welsh Parliament include all those conferred on the Irish Parliament, except the control of the Post Office, but with the addition of the control over the Old Age Pensions, National Insurance, and Labour Exchange. With the exception of customs, the Welsh Parliament will have the exclusive power of levying, varying, and collecting all taxes within the principality of Wales and the county of Monmouth, all revenues thus contributed, including customs, to be devoted exclusively to Welsh services, subject to a contribution based upon the proportion the aggregate assessment to income tax in Wales bears to the aggregate of the United Kingdom. The executive power will continue vested in His Majesty the King, who will be represented in Wales by a Lord President. The administration will be carried on by the Lord President advised by an executive committee of a Welsh Privy Council. Until the Welsh Parliament shall otherwise determine, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Judicature, the county courts, and all existing courts is maintained, but power is taken to create a Welsh division of the High Court of Justice by order in His Majesty's Council, and it is proposed that after the passing of this Bill, judges of county courts having jurisdiction in Wales, recorders of boroughs in Wales and Monmouthshire, justices of the peace, including stipendiaries for the counties, county boroughs, and boroughs in Wales and Monmouthshire, and registrars of the district registries by the High Court of Justice in Wales and Monmouthshire, shall be appointed by the Lord President on the advice of the executive committee,