WAGES BOARD RULING - APOLOGY SOUGHT
Welsh Secretary David Jones has rebuffed calls for an apology after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Welsh Government on farm workers' wages.
MPs heard the court found in favour of the Welsh Government's attempt to preserve a special pay board aimed at protecting the wages of farm workers, which had been abolished by the UK Government.
Shadow Welsh secretary Owen Smith urged Mr Jones to apologise for "wasting" court time and money by trying to "unlawfully get rid" of the board for Wales.
But Mr Jones insisted it was "entirely right" to seek clarification in the Supreme Court.
Speaking during Wales questions, Mr Smith told the Welsh Secretary: "Within the last hour we've had an extremely important ruling by the Supreme Court.
"It found in favour of the Welsh Labour Government's attempt to preserve an Agricultural Wages Board for Wales and to protect low-paid farm workers in Wales.
"Will you take this opportunity to apologise for wasting court time and money in seeking to unlawfully get rid of an agricultural wages board for Wales and would you like to commend the Welsh Government for their actions?"
Mr Jones replied: "Well, you are entirely right, the Supreme Court has delivered a judgment this morning - the consequences of which we are still considering.
"But what I would say is it is entirely right that where a procedure exists, it is right we should go to the Supreme Court where there is an issue of doubt so as to have the position clarified and it has been clarified."
Labour's Mr Smith pressed further on the ruling, telling the Welsh Secretary: "You are trying to present this as some sort of score draw but to be clear you've lost 2-0.
"This is the second time you have referred Welsh legislation to the Supreme Court and the second time you have lost, this time in stopping the Welsh Government trying to protect agricultural wages in Wales.
"I ask you again - will you apologise for wasting time and agree with me that your interference and this ruling shows that we now definitely need Labour's proposal for a reserved powers model for the Assembly in Wales?"
Mr Jones replied: "I do not apologise for taking into account the devolution settlement and seeking clarity where that is necessary.
"But to repeat, we are considering the ramifications of this judgment and we will then in due course be coming back to this House."
