Welsh Affairs – annual debate on 3 March 2022

David Torrance; Paul Little; Tomas Robertson

There is no debate pack for this debate but links to relevant briefings are provided below.

The first debate specifically set aside for discussion of “Welsh affairs” in the House of Commons took place on 17 October 1944.

That debate was led by Megan Lloyd George, the Liberal MP for Anglesey, who considered the debate “somewhat overdue”. She said: “We welcome this Debate as a recognition of the distinctive problems and needs of Wales, not as an area, not as a part of England, but as a nation with a living language of its own, with hundreds of years of history behind it, and with its own culture.”

Not all Welsh Members supported the idea of a dedicated debate. Aneurin Bevan, the Labour MP for Ebbw Vale, said that while Wales had “a special place, a special individuality, a special culture and special claims”, he did not think “this is the place where any of them can properly be considered”.

Commons Library briefings

Commons Library Briefings

Muslim community in Wales

In December 2021, the ONS published experimental statistics for population estimates by religion for England and Wales for 2019. In 2019, the Muslim population in Wales was estimated to number 55,400. This compares with the 2011 census estimate for Wales of 45,950. Muslims accounted for roughly 1.8% of the population of Wales in 2019 compared with the 2011 census estimate of 1.5%. This compares with figures for England which showed the estimated Muslim population in 2019 to be 5.9% and the 2011 census figure of 5%.

Future of the Welsh rural economy

Economic output per head in areas of rural Wales is below the Wales average, although it has grown since 2010. This briefing includes Welsh economic output statistics, along with statistics showing employment broken down by industry sectors.

Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament elections 2021

The 2021 Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament elections took place on 6 May. The largest party was Labour, winning 30 seats. The Conservatives made the largest gains and replaced Plaid Cymru as the second largest party.

Transport funding for Wales and HS2

A debate pack published for a Westminster Hall debate on ‘Transport funding for Wales and HS2’.

Welsh Affairs Committee

Current Welsh Affairs Committee Inquiries

Wales as a global tourist destination (an inquiry which seeks to explore the current position of the tourism sector in Wales and the steps the UK Government can take to help promote Wales to the world).

Grid capacity in Wales (an inquiry which will explore the implications of grid capacity issues for the energy sector in Wales).

The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales (a short inquiry exploring the impact of major policy changes [particularly, but not exclusively, international trade and climate change] on family farms in Wales).

The Benefits System in Wales (an inquiry examining the benefits system in Wales, following a period of unprecedented challenge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Wales (the Committee questions the Secretary of State for Wales on a wide range of issues affecting Wales).

All non-inquiry sessions

Recently published Welsh Affairs Committee Reports

Implications of the UK-Australia FTA for Wales (published 4 August 2021) – Government response

Renewable Energy in Wales (published 29 July 2021) – Government response

Railway Infrastructure in Wales (published 14 July 2021) – Government response

Recent debates on Welsh matters

Muslim Community in Wales, HC Deb 23 Feb 2022 cc 151-171WH

Strengthening the Union as it Relates to Wales – Welsh Grand Committee, Second Sitting, 18 January 2022

Strengthening the Union as it Relates to Wales – Welsh Grand Committee, First Sitting, 18 January 2022

Transport Funding: Wales and HS2, HC Deb 26 October 2021 cc 48-70WH

Welsh Rural Economy, HC Deb 22 June 2021 cc 290-311WH

Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Welsh Forms) Order 2021, HL Deb 4 March 2021 cc 1262-78