Lib Dems Call for Crown Estate to be Devolved to Wales

The Liberal Democrats have once again called for the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales during a debate Crown Estate Bill in the House of Commons today.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick called on Wales to be treated as an equal to Scotland, which has already received devolution of the Crown Estate, stating that Wales deserves the same benefits that devolving the Estate would bring.

The intervention comes after the Liberal Democrats tried to amend the Bill to devolve the Crown Estate to Wales in the House of Lords before Christmas, only to be voted down by Labour.

It is estimated that the Crown Estate is due to take in at least £1 billion in profit from offshore wind energy lease agreements in Welsh waters over the coming years.

Commenting following the debate David Chadwick MP said:

“It is unacceptable that Wales continues to be treated as a lesser nation to Scotland when it comes to the devolution of powers. 

"Labour promised change after the General Election, yet they seem intent on maintaining the status quo and depriving Wales of key tools to boost our economic success.

“If the income raised from renewables owned by the Crown Estate stayed in Wales it would be of huge benefit to our local communities.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to push Labour to change their mind on this issue as the Bill continues to progress through Parliament."

ENDS

Press releases from the House of Lords vote brought forward by the Liberal Democrats on the devolution of the Crown Estate in November can be found here

A vote table from the House of Lords vote can be found here

David’s intervention can be watched here