Written - National Assembly for Wales Housing and Local Government Legislative Competence Order

Following my oral statement to Assembly Members last week on the Housing and Local Government Legislative Competence Order, I am very pleased to announce that an agreement has now been reached with the UK Government. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales has confirmed that the Housing and Local Government LCO, as approved by the National Assembly for Wales on 9 February 2010, will now proceed to both Houses of Parliament without further amendment.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported the LCO in its passage through the National Assembly for Wales. I hope that it will now complete its passage through Parliament swiftly and successfully so that we can get on with developing much needed legislation. 

The LCO will enable the National Assembly for Wales to consider Measures to tackle issues such as improved regulation of Registered Social Landlords, securing greater homelessness provision, bringing empty homes back in to use, proving security of tenure, and supporting the most vulnerable. It is right that these decisions should be taken in Wales for the people of Wales.