Dear Dame Primarolo,

                                    I understand that your committee is consulting on residential allowances for AMs living outside Wales since there was nothing in the Wales 2006 Act to address this issue.

                        There are two choices; the first is to amend the act to create a “new outer zone” in England .This in itself would be problematic and in future would open the flood gates by encouraging others throughout the Uk to become AMs resulting in excessive allowances etc. What other parliament in the world would allow this to happen?

            As a Welsh taxpayer I would object strongly to such a decision and believe that all AMs of whatever political party should have their main place of residence in Wales so that they can carry out their duties effectively especially on Mondays ,Fridays and weekends.

            Leading on to the second choice I would urge the committee to recommend that the Wales 2006 Act be amended to preclude anyone living outside Wales from being an AM. Failure to do so would be an insult to Wales and make the Assembly appear ridiculous.

            As an ex County Councillor I knew that all elected members had to live within the county boundary. Similarly all Town and Community councillors cannot live further than four miles from the ward they represent. Similar regulations should remain in force for Assembly members.

            I trust that my comments will serve as a guide to your committee.

                                                            Yours Faithfully,

                                                                                    MBHughes