The Welsh Labour Government are ‘unserious’ about transferring powers over Crown Estate, Plaid Cymru’s leader has stated.

During First Minister’s Questions this month, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS challenged First Minister Eluned Morgan over Labour’s failure to secure the devolution of the Crown Estate.

This month, nine Welsh Labour MPs voted against a Plaid amendment to the devolve the Crown Estate to Wales during the Committee Stage of the Crown Estate Bill.

In an answer to the Plaid leader, Eluned Morgan admitted there was a difference of opinion between Labour Members of the Senedd and Welsh Labour MPs on devolving the Crown Estate despite it being a policy of Welsh Labour.

There’s also cross-party consensus in the Senedd on ensuring these powers are transferred to Wales.

The First Minister failed to offer clarity on whether the Labour Welsh Government submitted evidence to the Public Bill Committee in favour of devolving the Crown Estate.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The Labour First Minister tells us she’s fighting for Wales to have powers over the Crown Estate, yet she can’t even convince Welsh Labour MPs to vote in its favour.

“The fact that 9 Labour MPs from Wales blocked the transfer of powers over the Crown Estate to Wales and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Wales Office even described it as a ‘waste of time’ shows clearly that Labour are unserious about standing up for Wales.

“Devolving powers over Wales’ Crown Estate from Westminster to the Senedd would mean that profits generated from Welsh land and seabed could benefit Welsh people directly.

“Unlike Labour, a Plaid Cymru government would be relentless in demanding those powers that would be transformative for Wales.”

A YesCymru poll carried out by YouGov found that 58% of people supported devolving the Crown Estate to Wales, compared to 19% who opposed it.