Hain: Wales and Westmister have "solid" partnership

That was the assurance delivered from newly-appointed Leader of the House Peter Hain at a key political forum in Cardiff on Monday.

But he also voiced his doubts about the proportional voting system which he claimed had given the Welsh Conservatives many more seats than they deserved.

I continue to speak for Wales around the Cabinet table, being Wales' voice in Westminster and Westminster's voice in Wales Peter Hain

Mr Hain was speaking on "The Future Relationship between Wales, Whitehall and Westminster" at an Institute of Welsh Affairs seminar in Cardiff.

He added: "The way that those changes first came out gave an impression to many of a dilution of Welsh influence at Westminster. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.

"Neither the position of Secretary of State for Wales, nor the Wales Office has been abolished. Wales Office staff remain in Gwydyr House in Whitehall and Discovery House in Cardiff Bay.

Regular meetings: Mr Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan

"I continue to speak for Wales around the Cabinet table, being Wales' voice in Westminster and Westminster's voice in Wales."

He said he would continue to be responsible for taking Welsh legislation through the House of Commons, and to answer Welsh Questions.

He was also holding regular weekly bilateral meetings with the assembly First Minister, Rhodri Morgan in Cardiff.

"The duties of the Secretary of State remain as crucial today as they were before the re-shuffle.

Every clause of legislation affecting Wales - or desired by Rhodri and his colleagues - comes through the Secretary of State for Wales and the Wales Office.

'Real difference'

"The basis of the partnership between Wales and Westminster remains a solid one - and has worked well."

Mr Hain said that in the relatively short time since devolution the assembly had been able to carry forward its detailed and distinctive agenda in key areas such as education and health.

It had been able to make a real difference to the lives of people living in Wales, he claimed.

New powers were also being transferred from Whitehall, the most recent example being last week's proposal by the Deputy Prime Minister, that responsibility for fire policy should be devolved to the Assembly.

But he said that any major changes proposed by the Richard Commission would have to demonstrate clear, practical improvements in delivery of public services to the people of Wales.

The Welsh Secretary is "sympathetic" to more assembly powers

He added that to give the Welsh assembly tax-raising powers would need a referendum, with people being asked if they really wanted higher taxes.

He also hit out at the present proportional representation system for voting for assembly members which he described as leading to "perverse outcomes", with candidates defeated in a first-past-the-post system getting in under the regional list ballot.

He said: "In the Clwyd West constituency, for example three of the four defeated candidates were subsequently elected on the regional list, including one who only polled 7.9% of the vote.

Mr Hain concluded: "We need continued strong co-operation between the UK Government, the assembly, and local government to cut crime and build safer communities.

"The assembly government has exciting plans for its second term - including the abolition of prescription charges, providing for all primary school children to have free breakfasts in schools, and enabling free access to local authority swimming pools for older people."