'Impenetrable' Wales Bill could cut devolution powers, AMs say

"Impenetrable" plans for further devolution could leave Wales with fewer powers, the chairman of a key assembly committee has said.

The UK government's draft Wales Bill proposes a new system where all policy areas are assumed to be devolved unless named as exceptions, such as defence.

David Melding said the constitutional committee found the list of exceptions too long and called for a re-think.

In a report, it claimed the bill had been "made for Wales, not with Wales".

'Make things clear'

"It is impenetrable for the ordinary citizen," Mr Melding told BBC Wales.

"But in terms of constitutional law we do think you need to make every effort to make things clear."

He added that the bill would have "benefitted from closer co-operation between the UK government, Welsh government and National Assembly".

First Minister Carwyn Jones has branded the draft bill's suggestion of having UK ministers approve Welsh legislation as an "English veto".

He claimed many Welsh laws, including the one introducing presumed consent for organ donations, would not have been possible under the proposed changes.

'List too long'

The committee recommended following the Scottish model of devolution by removing this requirement in devolved policy areas.

Following criticism of the draft bill, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said in November he felt the list of exceptions was too long, but the parties could "do some work together to try to bring that down".

Reacting to the committee's report, a Wales Office spokesman said: "The Government is listening to views on the draft Wales Bill and we welcome the Committee's contribution to the debate."