Clause 148

Part of Equality Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 6:30 pm ar 30 Mehefin 2009.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mark Harper Mark Harper Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions) 6:30, 30 Mehefin 2009

I have some brief questions, one of which caught my eye mainly because the geographical location of my constituency, the Forest of Dean, is on the border between England and Wales. I do not know whether it is relevant, hence my wanting to test it, but I want to know exactly what is meant by the provision. The clause refers to part 4 of schedule 19, so I looked at the schedule, but there is not yet a part 4. I presume that it will contain reference to the cross-border authorities. I was not entirely certain what sort of bodies they will be.

My constituency has many issues with public bodies and matters that have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government, but are also exercised in England. Such functions do not work well across borders: NHS functions, public transport functions, and in particular concessionary fares. Furthermore, clashes can occur with different rules in respect of education, particularly on transport to education facilities, which is important in a rural area.

I am not entirely certain whether current cross-border authorities would be captured by the clause.