Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has questioned the Welsh Government over the role Prince Charles has in its business following media reports that he has been consulted by Westminster on at least 12 bills since 2005.
Following a Freedom of Information request, the Guardian newspaper reported that the heir to the throne had been asked for consent on subjects such as gambling, coroners and the Olympics. In response to the reports, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said it was “protocol” for Charles to be consulted over some legislation, citing the parliamentary guide book, Erskine May, which said his consent was required on bills that affected Wales, the earldom of Chester and the Duchy of Cornwall.
The AM for South Wales Central also questioned the use of the term ‘principality’ when referring to Wales in Erskine May.
Earlier this year, Ms Wood successfully lobbied for Wales to be given ‘country’ status by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) which describes itself as the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards and a network of the national standards institutes of 162 countries.
During Business Questions to Finance Minister Jane Hutt, Ms Wood said:
“I am sure that many Members will share my concerns about news reports yesterday that showed that Charles Windsor has the right to veto any UK legislation and is consulted on any matter that affects his personal interests.
“Page 663 of Erskine May, the Westminster Parliament’s rulebook, states that ‘the Prince’s consent is required for a bill which affects the rights of the principality of Wales [and] the earldom of Chester.’
“Minister, can we have a Government statement covering the Welsh Government’s position regarding this right to consultation on and veto of Westminster’s legislation, whether it applies to Welsh legislation that affects his interests, and the Government’s view on that.
“Also, what can be done to impress upon those in the UK Parliament that Wales is not a principality, and can you ask for Erskine May to be amended, along with all other relevant documentation, to reflect the fact that Wales is a country and not a principality?”
In reply, Ms Hutt said Charles had no hand in Welsh legislation now or in the future.
