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Government of Wales Act 2006

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Government of Wales Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 32

An Act to make provision about the government of Wales.

[25th July 2006]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (15.9.2011) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 58(1)-(3), (7)

C2Act power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (25.4.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 54(2)-(5), 157(1); S.I. 2012/1129, art. 2(b)

[F1Part A1U.K.Permanence of the Assembly and Welsh Government

Textual Amendments

F1Pt. A1 inserted (31.3.2017) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 1, 71(2)(a) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

A1Permanence of the Assembly and Welsh GovernmentU.K.

(1)The Assembly established by Part 1 and the Welsh Government established by Part 2 are a permanent part of the United Kingdom's constitutional arrangements.

(2)The purpose of this section is, with due regard to the other provisions of this Act, to signify the commitment of the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom to the Assembly and the Welsh Government.

(3)In view of that commitment it is declared that the Assembly and the Welsh Government are not to be abolished except on the basis of a decision of the people of Wales voting in a referendum.

A2Recognition of Welsh lawU.K.

(1)The law that applies in Wales includes a body of Welsh law made by the Assembly and the Welsh Ministers.

(2)The purpose of this section is, with due regard to the other provisions of this Act, to recognise the ability of the Assembly and the Welsh Ministers to make law forming part of the law of England and Wales.]

Part 1U.K.National Assembly for Wales

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

The AssemblyU.K.

1The AssemblyU.K.

(1)There is to be an Assembly for Wales to be known as the National Assembly for Wales or Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru (referred to in this Act as “the Assembly”).

(2)The Assembly is to consist of—

(a)one member for each Assembly constituency (referred to in this Act as “Assembly constituency members”), and

(b)members for each Assembly electoral region (referred to in this Act as “Assembly regional members”).

(3)Members of the Assembly (referred to in this Act as “Assembly members”) are to be returned in accordance with the provision made by and under this Act for—

(a)the holding of general elections of Assembly members (for the return of the entire Assembly), and

(b)the filling of vacancies in Assembly seats.

(4)The validity of any Assembly proceedings is not affected by any vacancy in its membership.

(5)In this Act “Assembly proceedings” means any proceedings of—

(a)the Assembly,

(b)committees of the Assembly, or

(c)sub-committees of such committees.

Commencement Information

I1Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

2Assembly constituencies and electoral regionsU.K.

[F2(1) The Assembly constituencies are the constituencies specified in the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) Order 2006 ( S.I. 2006/1041) as amended by—

(a) the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2008 ( S.I. 2008/1791), and

(b)any Order in Council under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 giving effect (with or without modifications) to a report falling within section 13(3) or (4) of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011.]

(2)There are five Assembly electoral regions.

(3)The Assembly electoral regions are as specified in the Parliamentary Constituencies and Assembly Electoral Regions (Wales) Order 2006.

(4)There are four seats for each Assembly electoral region.

F3(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

General electionsU.K.

3Ordinary general electionsU.K.

(1)The poll at an ordinary general election is to be held on the first Thursday in May in the [F4fifth] calendar year following that in which the previous ordinary general election was held, unless provision is made for the day of the poll by an order under section 4.

(2)If the poll is to be held on the first Thursday in May, the Assembly—

(a)is dissolved by virtue of this section at the beginning of the minimum period which ends with that day, and

(b)must meet within the period of seven days beginning immediately after the day of the poll.

(3)In subsection (2) “the minimum period” means the period determined in accordance with an order under section 13.

(4)In calculating any period of days for the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the following days are to be disregarded—

(a)Saturday and Sunday,

(b)any day which is a bank holiday in Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80), and

(c)any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

Textual Amendments

F4Word in s. 3(1) substituted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 1(1), 29(2)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 3(1) modified (15.9.2011) by Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), ss. 5(2), 7(2) (with s. 6)

Commencement Information

I3Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

4Power to vary date of ordinary general electionU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order provide for the poll at an ordinary general election to be held on a day which is neither—

(a)more than one month earlier, nor

(b)more than one month later,

than the first Thursday in May.

(2)An order under this section must make provision for the Assembly—

(a)to be dissolved on a day specified in the order, and

(b)to meet within the period of seven days beginning immediately after the day of the poll.

(3)In calculating any period of days for the purposes of provision made by virtue of subsection (2)(b), the following days are to be disregarded—

(a)Saturday and Sunday,

(b)Good Friday,

(c)any day which is a bank holiday in Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80), and

(d)any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

(4)An order under this section may make provision for—

(a)any provision of, or made under, the Representation of the People Acts, or

(b)any other enactment relating to the election of Assembly members,

to have effect with such modifications or exceptions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with the alteration of the day of the poll.

(5)No order is to be made under this section unless the Secretary of State has consulted the Welsh Ministers about it.

(6)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I4Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

5Extraordinary general electionsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must propose a day for the holding of a poll at an extraordinary general election if subsection (2) or (3) applies.

(2)This subsection applies if—

(a)the Assembly resolves that it should be dissolved, and

(b)the resolution of the Assembly is passed on a vote in which the number of Assembly members voting in favour of it is not less than two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

(3)This subsection applies if any period during which the Assembly is required under section 47 to nominate an Assembly member for appointment as the First Minister ends without such a nomination being made.

(4)If the Secretary of State proposes a day under subsection (1), Her Majesty may by Order in Council—

(a)dissolve the Assembly and require an extraordinary general election to be held,

(b)require the poll at the election to be held on the day proposed, and

(c)require the Assembly to meet within the period of seven days beginning immediately after the day of the poll.

(5)If a poll is held under this section within the period of six months ending with the day on which the poll at the next ordinary general election would be held (disregarding section 4), that ordinary general election is not to be held.

(6)But subsection (5) does not affect the year in which the subsequent ordinary general election is to be held.

(7)In calculating any period of days for the purposes of subsection (4)(c), the following days are to be disregarded—

(a)Saturday and Sunday,

(b)Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Good Friday,

(c)any day which is a bank holiday in Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80), and

(d)any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

Commencement Information

I5Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

6Voting at general electionsU.K.

(1)Each person entitled to vote at a general election in an Assembly constituency has two votes.

(2)One (referred to in this Act as a “constituency vote”) is a vote which may be given for a candidate to be the Assembly constituency member for the Assembly constituency.

(3)The other (referred to in this Act as an “electoral region vote”) is a vote which may be given for—

(a)a registered political party which has submitted a list of candidates to be Assembly regional members for the Assembly electoral region in which the Assembly constituency is included, or

(b)an individual who is a candidate to be an Assembly regional member for that Assembly electoral region.

(4)The Assembly constituency member for the Assembly constituency is to be returned under the simple majority system.

(5)The Assembly regional members for the Assembly electoral region are to be returned under the additional member system of proportional representation provided for in this Part.

(6)In this Act “registered political party” means a party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

Commencement Information

I6Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

7Candidates at general electionsU.K.

(1)At a general election a person may not be a candidate to be the Assembly constituency member for more than one Assembly constituency.

(2)Any registered political party may submit a list of candidates for return as Assembly regional members for a particular Assembly electoral region at a general election.

(3)The list must be submitted to the regional returning officer.

(4)The list must not include more than twelve persons (but may include only one).

(5)The list must not include a person—

(a)who is included on any other list submitted for the Assembly electoral region or any list submitted for another Assembly electoral region,

(b)who is an individual candidate to be an Assembly regional member for the Assembly electoral region or another Assembly electoral region,

[F5(c)who is a candidate to be the Assembly constituency member for an Assembly constituency which is not included in the Assembly electoral region, or

(d)who is a candidate to be the Assembly constituency member for an Assembly constituency included in the Assembly electoral region but is not a candidate of the party.]

(6)A person may not be an individual candidate to be an Assembly regional member for the Assembly electoral region if that person is—

(a)included on a list submitted by a registered political party for the Assembly electoral region or another Assembly electoral region,

(b)an individual candidate to be an Assembly regional member for another Assembly electoral region,

[F6(c)a candidate to be the Assembly constituency member for an Assembly constituency which is not included in the Assembly electoral region, or

(d)a candidate of any registered political party to be the Assembly constituency member for an Assembly constituency included in the Assembly electoral region.]

(7)In this Act “regional returning officer”, in relation to an Assembly electoral region, means the person designated as the regional returning officer for the Assembly electoral region in accordance with an order under section 13.

Textual Amendments

F5S. 7(5)(c)(d) substituted for s. 7(5)(c) and word (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(2)(a), 29(2)(a)

F6S. 7(6)(c)(d) substituted for s. 7(6)(c) and word (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(2)(b), 29(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I7Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

8Calculation of electoral region figuresU.K.

(1)This section and section 9 are about the return of Assembly regional members for an electoral region at a general election.

(2)The person who is to be returned as the Assembly constituency member for each Assembly constituency in the Assembly electoral region is to be determined before it is determined who are to be returned as the Assembly regional members for the Assembly electoral region.

(3)For each registered political party by which a list of candidates has been submitted for the Assembly electoral region—

(a)there is to be added together the number of electoral region votes given for the party in the Assembly constituencies included in the Assembly electoral region, and

(b)the number arrived at under paragraph (a) is then to be divided by the aggregate of one and the number of candidates of the party returned as Assembly constituency members for any of those Assembly constituencies.

(4)For each individual candidate to be an Assembly regional member for the Assembly electoral region there is to be added together the number of electoral region votes given for the candidate in the Assembly constituencies included in the Assembly electoral region.

(5)The number arrived at—

(a)in the case of a registered political party, under subsection (3)(b), or

(b)in the case of an individual candidate, under subsection (4),

is referred to in this Act as the electoral region figure for that party or individual candidate.

Commencement Information

I8Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

9Allocation of seats to electoral region membersU.K.

(1)The first seat for the Assembly electoral region is to be allocated to the party or individual candidate with the highest electoral region figure.

(2)The second and subsequent seats for the Assembly electoral region are to be allocated to the party or individual candidate with the highest electoral region figure after any recalculation required by subsection (3) has been carried out.

(3)This subsection requires a recalculation under paragraph (b) of section 8(3) in relation to a party—

(a)for the first application of subsection (2), if the application of subsection (1) resulted in the allocation of an Assembly seat to the party, or

(b)for any subsequent application of subsection (2), if the previous application of that subsection did so,

and a recalculation is to be carried out after adding one to the aggregate mentioned in that paragraph.

(4)An individual candidate already returned as an[F7Assembly constituency member or] Assembly regional member is to be disregarded.

(5)Seats for the Assembly electoral region which are allocated to a party are to be filled by the persons on the party's list in the order in which they appear on the list[F8 (disregarding anyone already returned as an Assembly constituency member, including anyone whose return is void)].

(6)Once a party's list has been exhausted [F9(by the return of persons included on it as Assembly constituency members or by the previous application of subsection (1) or (2)) ], the party is to be disregarded.

(7)If (on the application of subsection (1) or any application of subsection (2)) the highest electoral region figure is the electoral region figure of two or more parties or individual candidates, the subsection applies to each of them.

(8)However, if subsection (7) would mean that more than the full number of seats for the Assembly electoral region were allocated, subsection (1) or (2) does not apply until—

(a)a recalculation has been carried out under section 8(3)(b) after adding one to the number of votes given for each party with that electoral region figure, and

(b)one has been added to the number of votes given for each individual candidate with that electoral region figure.

(9)If, after that, the highest electoral region figure is still the electoral region figure of two or more parties or individual candidates, the regional returning officer must decide between them by lots.

Textual Amendments

F7Words in s. 9(4) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(3)(a), 29(2)(a)

F8Words in s. 9(5) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(3)(b), 29(2)(a)

F9Words in s. 9(6) substituted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(3)(c), 29(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I9Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

VacanciesU.K.

10Constituency vacanciesU.K.

(1)This section applies if the seat of an Assembly constituency member returned for an Assembly constituency is vacant.

(2)Subject to subsection (7), an election must be held in the Assembly constituency to fill the vacancy.

(3)At the election, each person entitled to vote only has a constituency vote; and the Assembly constituency member for the Assembly constituency is to be returned under the simple majority system.

(4)The date of the poll at the election must be fixed by the Presiding Officer.

(5)The date must fall within the period of three months beginning with the occurrence of the vacancy.

(6)But if the vacancy does not come to the Presiding Officer's notice within the period of one month beginning with its occurrence, the date must fall within the period of three months beginning when it does come to the Presiding Officer's notice.

(7)The election must not be held if it appears to the Presiding Officer that the latest date which may be fixed for the poll would fall within the period of three months ending with the day on which the poll at the next ordinary general election would be held (disregarding section 4).

(8)The standing orders must make provision for determining the date on which a vacancy occurs for the purposes of this section.

(9)A person may not be a candidate in an election to fill a vacancy if the person is—

(a)an Assembly member, or

(b)a candidate in another such election.

Commencement Information

I10Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

11Electoral region vacanciesU.K.

(1)This section applies if the seat of an Assembly regional member returned for an Assembly electoral region is vacant.

(2)If the Assembly regional member was returned (under section 9 or this section) from the list of a registered political party, the regional returning officer must notify to the Presiding Officer the name of the person who is to fill the vacancy.

(3)A person's name may only be so notified if the person—

(a)is included on the list submitted by the registered political party for the last general election,

(b)is willing to serve as an Assembly regional member for the Assembly electoral region, and

(c)is not a person to whom subsection (4) applies.

(4)This subsection applies to a person if—

(a)the person is not a member of the registered political party, and

(b)the registered political party gives notice to the regional returning officer that the person's name is not to be notified to the Presiding Officer as the name of the person who is to fill the vacancy.

(5)But if there is more than one person who satisfies the conditions in subsection (3), the regional returning officer may only notify the name of whichever of them was the higher, or the highest, on that list.

(6)A person whose name is notified under subsection (2) is to be treated as having been declared to be returned as an Assembly regional member for the Assembly electoral region on the day on which notification of the person's name is received by the Presiding Officer.

(7)The seat remains vacant until the next general election—

(a)if the Assembly regional member was returned as an individual candidate, or

(b)if that Assembly regional member was returned from the list of a registered political party but there is no-one who satisfies the conditions in subsection (3).

(8)For the purposes of this section, a person included on the list submitted by a registered political party for the last general election who—

[F10(a)was returned as an Assembly member at that election (even if the return was void), or

(b)has subsequently been returned under section 10 or this section (even if the return was void),]

is treated on and after the return of the personF11..., as not having been included on the list.

Textual Amendments

F10S. 11(8)(a)(b) substituted for s. 11(8)(a)-(c) (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(4)(a), 29(2)(a)

F11Words in s. 11(8) omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 2(4)(b), 29(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I11Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Franchise and conduct of electionsU.K.

12Entitlement to voteU.K.

(1)The persons entitled to vote at an election of Assembly members (or of an Assembly member) in an Assembly constituency are those who on the day of the poll—

(a)would be entitled to vote as electors at a local government election in an electoral area wholly or partly included in the Assembly constituency, and

(b)are registered in the register of local government electors at an address within the Assembly constituency.

(2)But a person is not entitled as an elector—

(a)to cast more than one constituency vote, or more than one electoral region vote, in the same Assembly constituency at any general election,

(b)to vote in more than one Assembly constituency at any general election, or

(c)to cast more than one vote in any election held under section 10.

Commencement Information

I12Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

13Power to make provision about elections etc.U.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order make provision as to—

(a)the conduct of elections for the return of Assembly members,

(b)the questioning of an election for the return of Assembly members and the consequences of irregularities, and

(c)the return of an Assembly member otherwise than at an election.

(2)The provision which may be made under subsection (1)(a) includes, in particular, provision—

(a)about the registration of electors,

(b)for disregarding alterations in a register of electors,

(c)about the limitation of the election expenses of candidates (and the creation of criminal offences in connection with the limitation of such expenses),

(d)for the combination of polls at elections for the return of Assembly members and other elections, and

(e)for modifying the operation of sections 6 and 8(2) in a case where the poll at an election for the return of the Assembly constituency member for an Assembly constituency is abandoned (or notice of it is countermanded).

(3)The provision that may be made under subsection (1)(c) includes, in particular, provision making modifications to section 11(3) to (5).

(4)An order under this section may—

(a)apply or incorporate, with or without modifications or exceptions, any provision of or made under the election enactments,

(b)modify any form contained in, or in regulations or rules made under, the Representation of the People Acts so far as may be necessary to enable it to be used both for the original purpose and in relation to elections for the return of Assembly members, and

(c)so far as may be necessary in consequence of any provision made by this Act or an order under this section, make modifications of any provision made by or under any enactment relating to the registration of parliamentary electors or local government electors.

(5)In subsection (4)(a) “the election enactments” means—

(a)the Representation of the People Acts,

(b)the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41),

(c)the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 (c. 24), and

(d)any other enactments relating to parliamentary elections, European Parliamentary elections or local government elections.

(6)No return of an Assembly member at an election may be questioned except by an election petition under the provisions of Part 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) as applied by or incorporated in an order under this section.

(7)No order is to be made under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I13Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Duration of membershipU.K.

14Term of office of Assembly membersU.K.

The term of office of an Assembly member—

(a)begins when the Assembly member is declared to be returned, and

(b)ends with the dissolution of the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I14Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

15Resignation of membersU.K.

An Assembly member may at any time resign by giving notice in writing to the Presiding Officer.

Commencement Information

I15Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

DisqualificationU.K.

16Disqualification from being Assembly memberU.K.

(1)A person is disqualified from being an Assembly member if that person—

[F12(za)is a member of the House of Commons (but see sections 17A and 17B),]

(a)is disqualified from being a member of the House of Commons under paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 1(1) of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) (judges, civil servants, members of the armed forces, members of police forces and members of foreign legislatures),

(b)holds any of the offices for the time being designated by Order in Council as offices disqualifying persons from being Assembly members,

(c)holds the office of Auditor General,

(d)holds the office of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, or

(e)is employed as a member of the staff of the Assembly.

(2)Subject to section 17(1) and (2), a person is also disqualified from being an Assembly member if that person is disqualified otherwise than under the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) (either generally or in relation to a particular constituency) from being a member of the House of Commons or from sitting and voting in it.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) the references to the Republic of Ireland in section 1 of the Representation of the People Act 1981 (c. 34) (disqualification of offenders detained in, or unlawfully at large from detention in, the British Islands or the Republic of Ireland) are to be treated as references to any member State (other than the United Kingdom).

(4)A person who holds office as lord-lieutenant, lieutenant or high sheriff of any area in Wales is disqualified from being an Assembly member for any Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region wholly or partly included in that area.

(5)An Order in Council under paragraph (b) of subsection (1)—

(a)may designate particular offices or offices of any description, and

(b)may designate an office by reference to any characteristic of a person holding it,

and in that paragraph and this subsection “office” includes any post or employment.

(6)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under subsection (1)(b) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Textual Amendments

F12S. 16(1)(za) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 3(1), 29(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I16Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

17Exceptions and relief from disqualificationU.K.

(1)A person is not disqualified from being an Assembly member merely because that person is—

(a)a peer (whether of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, England or Scotland), or

(b)a Lord Spiritual.

(2)A citizen of the European Union who is resident in the United Kingdom is not disqualified from being an Assembly member merely because of section 3 of the Act of Settlement (1700 c. 2) (disqualification of certain persons born outside United Kingdom).

(3)The Assembly may resolve that the disqualification of any person who was, or is alleged to have been, disqualified from being an Assembly member on a ground within section 16(1) or (4) is to be disregarded if it appears to the Assembly—

(a)that the ground has been removed, and

(b)that it is proper so to resolve.

(4)A resolution under subsection (3) does not—

(a)affect any proceedings under Part 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) as applied by or incorporated in an order under section 13, or

(b)enable the Assembly to disregard any disqualification which has been established in such proceedings or in proceedings under section 19.

Commencement Information

I17Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F1317AException from disqualification by virtue of being an MP: recently elected membersU.K.

(1)A person returned at an election as an Assembly member is not disqualified under section 16(1)(za) (disqualification by virtue of being an MP) at any time in the period of 8 days beginning with the day the person is so returned.

(2)Subsection (3) applies where a person—

(a)is returned at an election as an Assembly member,

(b)on being so returned is a candidate for election to the House of Commons, and

(c)is subsequently returned at that election as a member of that House.

(3)The person is not disqualified under section 16(1)(za) at any time in the period of 8 days beginning with the day the person is returned as a member of the House of Commons.

(4)A person is a “candidate for election to the House of Commons” if the person's nomination paper for election as a member of the House of Commons has been delivered to the returning officer under rule 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (parliamentary election rules).

Textual Amendments

F13Ss. 17A, 17B inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 3(2), 29(2)(a)

17BException from disqualification by virtue of being an MP: general election of Assembly members within 372 daysU.K.

(1)This section applies if—

(a)an Assembly member is returned as a member of the House of Commons, and

(b)the expected day of the next general election of Assembly members is within the period of 372 days beginning with the day the person is so returned (“the return day”).

(2)The member is not disqualified under section 16(1)(za) (disqualification by virtue of being an MP) at any time in the period—

(a)beginning with the return day, and

(b)ending immediately before the day of the next general election of Assembly members.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) the expected day of the next general election of Assembly members is to be determined by reference to the circumstances as at the beginning of the return day (“ the relevant time ”).

(4)Where, at the relevant time, section 5(2) or (3) (extraordinary general elections) applies—

(a)if an Order in Council under section 5(4) has been made, the expected day is the day on which the poll is required to be held in accordance with that Order;

(b)if no Order in Council under section 5(4) has been made but a day has been proposed under section 5(1), that is the expected day;

(c)otherwise, the expected day is to be treated as being within the period mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

(5)For the purpose of determining the expected day, no account is to be taken of the possibility of—

(a)an order under section 4 (power to vary date of ordinary general election) being made after the relevant time, or

(b)section 5(2) or (3) (extraordinary general elections) first applying after that time.

(6)References in this section to the “day” of the election are to the day on which the poll at the election is held.]

Textual Amendments

F13Ss. 17A, 17B inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 3(2), 29(2)(a)

18Effect of disqualificationU.K.

(1)If a person who is disqualified from being an Assembly member is returned as an Assembly member, the person's return is void and the person's seat is vacant.

(2)If a person who is disqualified from being an Assembly member for a particular Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region is returned as an Assembly member for that Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region, the person's return is void and the person's seat is vacant.

(3)If a person who is an Assembly member becomes disqualified—

(a)from being an Assembly member, or

(b)from being an Assembly member for the Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region for which the person is sitting,

the person ceases to be an Assembly member (so that the person's seat is vacant).

(4)Subsections (1) to (3) have effect subject to any resolution of the Assembly under section 17(3).

(5)In addition, subsection (3) has effect subject to—

F14(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)section 427 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45) (bankruptcy etc.).

(6)If, in consequence of [F15the provision] mentioned in subsection (5), the seat of a person who is disqualified from being an Assembly member is not vacant, the person does not cease to be an Assembly member until the person's seat becomes vacant.

(7)But for any period for which the person is disqualified but the person's seat is not vacant—

(a)the person must not participate in any Assembly proceedings, and

(b)any of the person's other rights and privileges as an Assembly member may be withdrawn by the Assembly.

(8)The validity of any Assembly proceedings is not affected by the disqualification of any person—

(a)from being an Assembly member, or

(b)from being an Assembly member for the Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region for which the person purports to sit.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I18Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

19Judicial proceedings as to disqualificationU.K.

(1)Any person who claims that a person purporting to be an Assembly member is, or at any time since being returned as an Assembly member has been, disqualified from being—

(a)an Assembly member, or

(b)an Assembly member for the Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region for which the person purports to sit,

may apply to the High Court for a declaration to that effect.

(2)An application under subsection (1) in respect of any person may be made whether the grounds on which it is made are alleged to have subsisted at the time when the person was returned or to have arisen subsequently.

(3)No declaration may be made under this section in respect of any person—

(a)on grounds which subsisted when the person was returned, if an election petition is pending or has been tried in which the person's disqualification on those grounds is or was in issue, or

(b)on any ground, if a resolution of the Assembly under section 17(3) requires that any disqualification incurred by the person on that ground is to be disregarded.

(4)On an application under this section—

(a)the person in respect of whom the application is made is to be the respondent, and

(b)the applicant must give such security for the costs of the proceedings as the court may direct.

(5)The amount of the security may not exceed £5,000 or such other sum as the Welsh Ministers may specify by order.

(6)The decision of the court on an application under this section is final.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (5) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I19Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Remuneration, oaths etc.U.K.

20Remuneration of Assembly membersU.K.

(1)[F16Provision must be made] for the payment of salaries to Assembly members.

(2)[F17Provision may be made] for the payment of allowances to Assembly members.

(3)[F18Provision may be made] for the payment of pensions, gratuities or allowances to, or in respect of, any person who—

(a)has ceased to be an Assembly member, or

(b)has ceased to hold office as the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer, or such other office in connection with the Assembly as the Assembly may determine, but continues to be an Assembly member.

(4)Such provision may, in particular, include provision for—

(a)contributions or payments towards provision for such pensions, gratuities or allowances, and

(b)the establishment and administration (whether by the Assembly Commission or otherwise) of one or more pension schemes.

(5)Sums required for the making of payments by virtue of provision under subsection (1) or (3) to or in respect of a person who holds or has held the office of Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

[F19(6)Provision under this section is to be made by determination made by the Board.]

[F20(7)The Assembly Commission must give effect to any determination made by the Board under this section.

(8) In this section (and in sections 22, 24, 53 and 54) “ the Board ” means the National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board established by section 1 of the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4 —). ]

Textual Amendments

F16Words in s. 20(1) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 1 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F17Words in s. 20(2) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 2 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F18Words in s. 20(3) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 3 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F19S. 20(6) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 4 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F20S. 20(7)(8) inserted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 5 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

Commencement Information

I20Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

21Limit on salaries of Assembly membersU.K.

(1)The Assembly must make provision to ensure that the amount of the salary payable to an Assembly member in accordance with section 20 is reduced if a salary is payable to the Assembly member—

[F21(za)under section 4 of the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 (salaries of members of the House of Commons),]

(a)pursuant to a resolution (or combination of resolutions) of [F22the House of Lords] relating to the remuneration of members of that House, or

(b)under section 1 of the European Parliament (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979 (c. 50) (remuneration of United Kingdom MEPs).

(2)The provision made must ensure that the amount of salary is reduced—

(a)to a particular proportion of what it otherwise would be or to a particular amount, or

(b)by the amount of any salary payable to the Assembly member as mentioned in subsection [F23(1)(za), (a)] or (b), by a particular proportion of that amount or by some other particular amount.

(3)Provision may be made under this section by—

(a)the standing orders, or

(b)resolutions of the Assembly,

and may include provision conferring functions on the Assembly Commission.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I21Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

22Remuneration: supplementaryU.K.

(1)Different provision may be made under section 20 or 21 for different cases.

(2)[F24The Assembly Commission] must ensure that information concerning—

(a)the amounts paid to each Assembly member as salary and allowances, and

(b)the total amount paid to Assembly members as salaries and allowances,

is published for each financial year F25. . . .

[F26(3)The Assembly Commission must lay before the Assembly every determination made by the Board under section 20(6) as soon as is reasonably practicable after it is made.]

(4)For the purposes of sections 20 and 21 a person who—

(a)ceases to be an Assembly member when the Assembly is dissolved, but

(b)is nominated as a candidate at the subsequent general election,

is to be treated as an Assembly member until the end of the day on which the poll at the election is held.

(5)Where a person—

(a)ceases to be an Assembly member when the Assembly is dissolved, but

(b)continues to hold office as Presiding Officer or as a member of the Assembly Commission by virtue of paragraph 1(1) or (2) of Schedule 2,

the fact that the person is no longer an Assembly member does not affect any entitlement under sections 20 and 21 in respect of the holding of office as Presiding Officer or as a member of the Assembly Commission (or both) until the end of the day on which the person ceases to hold it.

(6)Provision made under section 20(3) does not affect pensions or allowances in payment before the provision was made.

Textual Amendments

F24Words in s. 22(2) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 6 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F25Words in s. 22(2) omitted (24.9.2010) by virtue of National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 6 (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F26S. 22(3) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 7 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

Commencement Information

I22Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

23Oath or affirmation of allegianceU.K.

(1)An Assembly member must take the oath of allegiance in the form set out in section 2 of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) (or make the corresponding affirmation) as soon as is reasonably practicable after being returned as an Assembly member (whether for the first time or subsequently).

(2)The standing orders must specify the person before whom the oath is to be taken (or the affirmation made).

(3)Subsection (1) does not require an Assembly member to take the oath of allegiance (or make the corresponding affirmation) again if it has been taken (or made) by the Assembly member in compliance with section 55(2) since being returned (or last returned).

(4)Until an Assembly member has taken the oath (or made the affirmation) the Assembly member must not do anything as an Assembly member, other than—

(a)take part in proceedings of the Assembly at which Assembly members take the oath or make the affirmation, or

(b)take part in any earlier proceedings for the election of the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer.

(5)If an Assembly member has not taken the oath (or made the affirmation) within—

(a)the period of two months beginning with the day on which the Assembly member was declared to be returned, or

(b)such longer period as the Assembly may have allowed before the end of that period of two months,

at the end of that period of two months or longer period the Assembly member ceases to be an Assembly member (so that the Assembly member's seat is vacant).

(6)Until an Assembly member has taken the oath (or made the affirmation), no salary, allowance, gratuity or payment towards the provision of a pension, allowance or gratuity is to be paid under this Act to or in respect of the Assembly member.

(7)But subsection (6) does not affect any entitlement to payments in respect of the period before the Assembly member took the oath (or made the affirmation) once the Assembly member has done so.

Commencement Information

I23Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

24Assistance to groups of Assembly membersU.K.

(1)The Assembly Commission must make to (or in respect of) political groups to which Assembly members belong such payments [F27as the Board from time to time determines] for the purpose of assisting Assembly members who belong to those political groups to perform their functions as Assembly members.

(2)A determination under subsection (1) may make provision—

(a)for calculating the amount of any payment to (or in respect of) a political group,

(b)for the conditions subject to which payments to (or in respect of) a political group are to be made, and

(c)for claims for such payments to be made to the Assembly Commission.

(3)A determination under subsection (1) may make different provision for different political groups.

(4)F28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)The standing orders must include provision for determining for the purposes of this Act whether any Assembly member belongs to a political group and, if so, to which; and (in particular)—

(a)may include provision for treating an Assembly member as not belonging to a political group unless a specified number of Assembly members belong to it, and

(b)must include provision requiring the Presiding Officer to decide any questions arising under the provision included by virtue of this subsection.

[F29(6)The Assembly Commission must lay before the Assembly every determination made by the Board under section 24(1) as soon as is reasonably practicable after it is made.]

[F30(7)The Assembly Commission must ensure that information concerning the sums paid under this section is published for each financial year.]

Textual Amendments

F27Words in s. 24(1) substituted (24.9.2010) by virtue of National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 8 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F28S. 24(4) omitted (24.9.2010) by virtue of National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 9 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F29S. 24(6) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 10 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F30S. 24(7) inserted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 11 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

Commencement Information

I24Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Presiding Officer and administrationU.K.

25Presiding Officer etc.U.K.

(1)The Assembly must, at its first meeting following a general election, elect from among the Assembly members—

(a)a presiding officer (referred to in this Act as “the Presiding Officer”), and

(b)a deputy presiding officer (referred to in this Act as “the Deputy Presiding Officer”).

(2)The person elected under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) is to be known as the Presiding Officer or by such other title as the standing orders may provide; and the person elected under paragraph (b) of that subsection is to be known as the Deputy Presiding Officer or by such other title as the standing orders may provide.

(3)The Presiding Officer holds office until the conclusion of the next election of a Presiding Officer under subsection (1).

(4)The Deputy Presiding Officer holds office until the Assembly is dissolved.

(5)But the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer—

(a)may at any time resign,

(b)ceases to hold office on ceasing to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution, and

(c)may be removed from office by the Assembly.

(6)If the Presiding Officer or the Deputy Presiding Officer ceases to hold office under subsection (5) (or dies), the Assembly must elect a replacement from among the Assembly members.

(7)Subject to subsection (9), the Presiding Officer and the Deputy Presiding Officer must not belong to—

(a)the same political group, or

(b)different political groups both of which are political groups with an executive role.

(8)For the purposes of this Act a political group is a political group with an executive role if the First Minister or one or more of the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48 belong to it.

(9)The Assembly may resolve that subsection (7) is not to apply for so long as the resolution so provides; but if the motion for the resolution is passed on a vote it is of no effect unless at least two-thirds of the Assembly members voting support it.

(10)The Presiding Officer's functions may be exercised by the Deputy Presiding Officer if—

(a)the office of Presiding Officer is vacant, or

(b)the Presiding Officer is for any reason unable to act.

(11)The Presiding Officer may (subject to the standing orders) authorise the Deputy Presiding Officer to exercise functions of the Presiding Officer.

(12)The standing orders may include provision for the Presiding Officer's functions to be exercisable by any person specified in, or determined in accordance with, the standing orders if—

(a)the office of Presiding Officer is vacant or the Presiding Officer is for any reason unable to act, and

(b)the office of Deputy Presiding Officer is vacant or the Deputy Presiding Officer is for any reason unable to act.

(13)The standing orders may include provision as to the participation (including voting) in Assembly proceedings of the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer and any person acting by virtue of subsection (12).

(14)The validity of any act of a person as Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer, or of any person acting by virtue of subsection (12), is not affected by any defect in the person's appointment by the Assembly.

(15)Subsections (10) to (12) are subject to paragraph 11 of Schedule 2.

Commencement Information

I25Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

26Clerk of AssemblyU.K.

(1)The Assembly Commission must appoint a person to be the Clerk of the Assembly (referred to in this Act as “the Clerk”).

(2)The person appointed under subsection (1) is to be known as the Clerk of the Assembly or by such other title as the standing orders may provide.

(3)The Clerk's functions may be exercised by any other member of the staff of the Assembly (or person seconded to work at the Assembly) authorised by the Assembly Commission if—

(a)the office of Clerk is vacant, or

(b)the Clerk is for any reason unable to act.

(4)The Clerk may authorise any other member of the staff of the Assembly (or person seconded to work at the Assembly) to exercise functions on the Clerk's behalf.

Commencement Information

I26Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

27Assembly CommissionU.K.

(1)There is to be a body corporate to be known as the National Assembly for Wales Commission or Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru (referred to in this Act as “the Assembly Commission”).

(2)The members of the Assembly Commission are to be—

(a)the Presiding Officer, and

(b)four other Assembly members.

(3)The standing orders must make provision for the appointment of the four other Assembly members as members of the Assembly Commission.

(4)The provision included in the standing orders in compliance with subsection (3) must (so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so) secure that not more than one of the members of the Assembly Commission (other than the Presiding Officer) belongs to any one political group.

(5)The Assembly Commission must—

(a)provide to the Assembly, or

(b)ensure that the Assembly is provided with,

the property, staff and services required for the Assembly's purposes.

(6)The Assembly may give special or general directions to the Assembly Commission for the purpose of, or in connection with, the exercise of the Assembly Commission's functions.

(7)Any property, rights or liabilities acquired or incurred in relation to matters to which the Assembly would otherwise be entitled or subject are to be treated for all purposes as property, rights or liabilities of the Assembly Commission.

(8)For further provision about the Assembly Commission see Schedule 2.

Commencement Information

I27Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

CommitteesU.K.

28Committees and sub-committeesU.K.

(1)The standing orders may provide—

(a)for the appointment of committees of the Assembly, and

(b)for such committees to have power to appoint sub-committees.

(2)The members of a committee of the Assembly, or of a sub-committee of such a committee, may not include anyone who is not an Assembly member.

(3)The standing orders must make provision about the membership, chairing and procedure of committees of the Assembly and sub-committees of such committees.

(4)The standing orders may include provision for excluding from the proceedings of a committee of the Assembly, or a sub-committee of such a committee, an Assembly member who is not a member of the committee or sub-committee.

(5)The validity of any proceedings of a committee of the Assembly, or of a sub-committee of such a committee, is not affected by—

(a)any vacancy in its membership,

(b)any defect in the appointment of its members or of the person who chairs it, or

(c)any failure to comply with provisions of the standing orders relating to procedure.

Commencement Information

I28Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

F3129Composition of committeesU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31S. 29 omitted (31.3.2017) by virtue of Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 14, 71(2)(b) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

30Audit CommitteeU.K.

(1)The committees of the Assembly must include one to be known as the Audit Committee or Pwyllgor Archwilio or by such other name as the Assembly may determine; and, if the Assembly makes such a determination, references to the committee in—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

have effect accordingly.

(2)The Audit Committee is to have the number of members specified by the standing orders.

(3)None of the following may be a member of the Audit Committee—

(a)the First Minister or any person designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister,

(b)a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(c)the Counsel General or any person designated to exercise the functions of the Counsel General, or

(d)a Deputy Welsh Minister.

(4)The Audit Committee must not be chaired by an Assembly member who is a member of a political group with an executive role.

Commencement Information

I29Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Proceedings etc.U.K.

31Standing ordersU.K.

(1)Assembly proceedings are to be regulated by standing orders (referred to in this Act as “the standing orders”).

(2)The standing orders must include provision for preserving order in Assembly proceedings, including provision for—

(a)preventing conduct which would constitute a criminal offence or contempt of court, and

(b)a sub judice rule.

(3)The standing orders may include provision for excluding an Assembly member from Assembly proceedings.

(4)The standing orders may include provision for withdrawing from an Assembly member any or all of the rights and privileges of membership of the Assembly.

(5)The standing orders—

(a)must include provision requiring the proceedings of the Assembly to be held in public, and for proceedings of a committee of the Assembly or a sub-committee of such a committee to be held in public except in circumstances provided for in the standing orders, and

(b)may include provision as to the conditions to be complied with by members of the public attending the proceedings (including provision for excluding any member of the public who does not comply with the conditions).

(6)The standing orders must include provision—

(a)for reporting the proceedings of the Assembly, and for reporting proceedings of committees of the Assembly and sub-committees of such committees which are held in public, and

(b)for publishing the reports of proceedings as soon as reasonably practicable after the proceedings take place.

(7)The Assembly may by resolution remake or revise the standing orders; but if the motion for a resolution to remake or revise the standing orders is passed on a vote, it has no effect unless at least two-thirds of the Assembly members voting support it.

(8)The Clerk must from time to time publish the standing orders.

Commencement Information

I30Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

F3232Participation by UK Ministers etc.U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F32S. 32 omitted (31.3.2017) by virtue of Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 15(a), 71(2)(b) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F3333Consultation about UK Government's legislative programmeU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33S. 33 omitted (31.3.2017) by virtue of Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 15(b), 71(2)(b) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

34Participation by Counsel GeneralU.K.

(1)If not an Assembly member the Counsel General may participate in Assembly proceedings to the extent permitted by the standing orders, but may not vote.

(2)And the standing orders may in other respects provide that they are to apply to the Counsel General if not an Assembly member as to an Assembly member.

(3)The Counsel General may, in any Assembly proceedings, decline to answer any question or produce any document concerning the operation of the system of criminal prosecution in any particular case if considering that answering the question or producing the document—

(a)might prejudice criminal proceedings in the case, or

(b)would otherwise be contrary to the public interest.

Commencement Information

I31Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

35Equality of treatmentU.K.

[F34(1)The Assembly must, in the conduct of Assembly proceedings, give effect, so far as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practicable, to the principle that the English and Welsh languages should be treated on a basis of equality. ]

[F34(1)The official languages of the Assembly are English and Welsh.

(1A)The official languages must, in the conduct of Assembly proceedings, be treated on a basis of equality.

(1B)All persons have the right to use either official language when participating in Assembly proceedings.

(1C)Reports of Assembly proceedings must, in the case of proceedings which fall within section 1(5)(a) (proceedings of the Assembly), contain a record of what was said, in the official language in which it was said, and also a full translation into the other official language.

(1D)Paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 makes provision about how the Assembly Commission must enable effect to be given to subsections (1) to (1C).]

(2)The Assembly must make appropriate arrangements with a view to securing that Assembly proceedings are conducted with due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people.

Textual Amendments

F34S. 35(1)-(1D) substituted for s. 35(1) (13.11.2012) by National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012 (anaw 1), ss. 1, 3(b)

Commencement Information

I32Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

36IntegrityU.K.

(1)The standing orders must include provision—

(a)for a register of interests of Assembly members, and

(b)for the register to be published and made available for public inspection.

(2)The standing orders must require Assembly members to register in the register of interests registrable interests, as defined for the purposes of this subsection.

(3)The standing orders must require any Assembly member who has—

(a)a financial interest, as defined for the purposes of this subsection, or

(b)any other interest, or an interest of any other kind, as so defined,

in any matter to declare that interest before taking part in Assembly proceedings relating to that matter.

(4)The standing orders may include provision for preventing or restricting the participation in any Assembly proceedings of an Assembly member who has an interest within subsection (2) or (3) in any matter to which the proceedings relate.

(5)The standing orders must include provision prohibiting an Assembly member from—

(a)advocating or initiating any cause or matter on behalf of any person, by any means specified in the standing orders, in consideration of any payment or benefit in kind of a description so specified, or

(b)urging, in consideration of any such payment or benefit in kind, any other Assembly member to advocate or initiate any cause or matter on behalf of any person by any such means.

(6)The standing orders must include provision about (or for the making of a code or protocol about) the different roles and responsibilities of Assembly constituency members and Assembly regional members; and—

(a)Assembly constituency members must not describe themselves in a manner which suggests that they are Assembly regional members, and

(b)Assembly regional members must not describe themselves in a manner which suggests that they are Assembly constituency members.

(7)An Assembly member who—

(a)takes part in Assembly proceedings without having complied with, or in contravention of, any provision included in the standing orders in pursuance of subsections (2) to (4), or

(b)contravenes any provision included in the standing orders in pursuance of subsection (5),

commits an offence.

(8)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(9)A prosecution for an offence under subsection (7) cannot be instituted except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(10)The validity of any Assembly proceedings is not affected by any contravention or failure to comply with any provision included in the standing orders in pursuance of this section.

(11)In this section—

(a)references to an Assembly member (apart from those in subsection (6)) include the Counsel General, if not an Assembly member, and

(b)financial interest” includes a benefit in kind.

Commencement Information

I33Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Witnesses and documentsU.K.

37Power to callU.K.

(1)Subject as follows, the Assembly may require any person—

(a)to attend Assembly proceedings for the purpose of giving evidence, or

(b)to produce for the purposes of the Assembly (or a committee of the Assembly or a sub-committee of such a committee) documents in the possession, or under the control, of the person,

concerning any matter relevant to the exercise by the Welsh Ministers of any of their functions[F35, relevant to the exercise of any of the Auditor General for Wales' functions, or relevant to the oversight and supervision of the Auditor General for Wales, or to the oversight and supervision of the exercise of any of his or her functions].

(2)The Assembly may not impose a requirement under subsection (1) on a person who is not involved in the exercise of functions, or the carrying on of activities, in relation to Wales [F36or the Welsh zone].

(3)The Assembly may not impose a requirement under subsection (1) on a person who—

(a)is or has been a Minister of the Crown, or

(b)serves or has served in the department of a Minister of the Crown,

in relation to the exercise of any functions of a Minister of the Crown.

(4)The Assembly—

(a)may not impose a requirement under subsection (1) on a person who is a full-time judge of any court, and

(b)may not impose such a requirement on a person who is not within paragraph (a) but who is or has been a member of any court or tribunal in connection with the exercise of functions as such a member.

(5)Where a requirement under subsection (1) is imposed on a person who is or has been a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government (or a person seconded to work for the Welsh F37... Government) in relation to the exercise of any functions of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General, any of them may issue a direction under subsection (6).

(6)A direction under this subsection is a direction—

(a)that the person on whom the requirement was imposed need not comply with it, and

(b)that the requirement is instead to be complied with by another person specified in the direction.

(7)The powers conferred by subsection (1)—

(a)may be exercised by and for the purposes of the Audit Committee, and

(b)may be exercised by and for the purposes of any other committee of the Assembly, or any sub-committee of any committee of the Assembly, if the committee or sub-committee is expressly authorised to do so by the Assembly (whether by the standing orders or otherwise).

(8)A person is not obliged under this section to answer any question or produce any document which the person would be entitled to refuse to answer or produce in or for the purposes of proceedings in a court in England and Wales.

(9)A person acting as prosecutor in criminal proceedings is not obliged under this section to answer any question or produce any document concerning the operation of the system of criminal prosecution in any particular case if the appropriate officer—

(a)considers that answering the question or producing the document might prejudice criminal proceedings in the case or would otherwise be contrary to the public interest, and

(b)has authorised the person to decline to answer the question or produce the document on that ground.

(10)In subsection (9) “the appropriate officer” means—

(a)if the proceedings were instituted by or on behalf of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General, the Counsel General, and

(b)otherwise, the Attorney General.

Textual Amendments

F36Words in s. 37(2) inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(2); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I34Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

38NoticeU.K.

(1)A requirement under section 37 is to be imposed on a person by the Clerk giving the person notice in writing specifying—

(a)whether the requirement is imposed for the purposes of the Assembly or a specified committee or sub-committee, and

(b)the matters mentioned in either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of subsection (2).

(2)Those matters are—

(a)the time and place at which the person is to attend and the particular subject concerning which the person is required to give evidence;

(b)the documents, or types of documents, which the person is to produce, the date by which and person to whom they are to be produced and the particular subject concerning which they are required.

(3)Notice under subsection (1) is to be given—

(a)in the case of an individual, by sending it in accordance with subsection (4) addressed to the person at the person's usual or last known address or, where the person has given an address for service of the notice, at that address, or

(b)in any other case, by so sending it addressed to the person at the person's registered or principal office.

(4)A notice is sent in accordance with this subsection if it is sent—

(a)by a registered post service (within the meaning of the Postal Services Act 2000 (c. 26)), or

(b)by a postal service which provides for its delivery by post to be recorded.

(5)If a direction is issued under subsection (6) of section 37 in relation to a requirement imposed under subsection (1) of that section, the person or persons by whom it is issued must give notice in writing that the direction has been issued—

(a)if the requirement was imposed for the purposes of the Assembly, to the Presiding Officer, and

(b)otherwise, to the person who chairs the committee or sub-committee for the purposes of which it was imposed.

Commencement Information

I35Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

39OffencesE+W

(1)A person to whom a notice under section 38(1) has been given commits an offence if the person—

(a)refuses or fails without reasonable excuse to attend proceedings as required by the notice,

(b)refuses or fails without reasonable excuse, when attending proceedings as required by the notice, to answer any question concerning the subjects specified in the notice,

(c)refuses or fails without reasonable excuse to produce any document required to be produced by the notice, or

(d)intentionally alters, suppresses, conceals or destroys any such document.

(2)Subsection (1) is subject to sections 34(3) and 37(5), (6), (8) and (9).

(3)If a person charged with an offence under subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) adduces evidence of a reasonable excuse for the refusal or failure, it is for the prosecution to prove that the person did not have such an excuse.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,

(b)to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or

(c)to both.

(5)Where an offence under subsection (1) which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of—

(a)a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or

(b)any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

that person, as well as the body corporate, is guilty of that offence and liable to be proceeded against accordingly.

(6)In subsection (5) “director”, in the case of a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.

Commencement Information

I36Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

40GeneralU.K.

(1)The Presiding Officer or such other person as may be authorised by the standing orders may—

(a)require any person giving evidence in Assembly proceedings to take an oath (or make an affirmation), and

(b)administer the oath (or affirmation) to the person.

(2)A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)is required to attend Assembly proceedings for the purpose of giving evidence by a notice under section 38(1), and

(b)refuses to take an oath (or make an affirmation) when required to do so for the purposes of the Assembly proceedings.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,

(b)to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or

(c)to both.

(4)The standing orders may provide for the payment of allowances and expenses to persons—

(a)attending Assembly proceedings for the purpose of giving evidence, or

(b)producing for the purposes of the Assembly (or a committee of the Assembly or a sub-committee of such a committee) documents which they have been required or requested to produce,

whether or not in pursuance of a notice under section 38(1).

(5)The provision made by virtue of subsection (4) may confer functions on the Assembly Commission.

(6)For the purposes of sections 37 to 39 and this section—

(a)a person is to be taken to comply with a requirement to produce a document if the person produces a copy of the document or an extract of the relevant part of the document,

(b)document” means anything in which information is recorded in any form, and

(c)references to producing a document are to producing the information recorded in it in a visible and legible form.

Commencement Information

I37Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Legal issuesU.K.

41Proceedings by or against Assembly etc.U.K.

(1)Proceedings by or against the Assembly are to be instituted by or against the Assembly Commission on behalf of the Assembly.

(2)Proceedings by or against—

(a)the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer, or

(b)a member of the staff of the Assembly,

are (unless instituted against or by the Assembly Commission) to be instituted by or against the Assembly Commission on behalf of the Presiding Officer, Deputy Presiding Officer or member of staff.

(3)In any proceedings against the Assembly the court must not grant a mandatory, prohibiting or quashing order or an injunction, make an order for specific performance or stay the proceedings but may instead make a declaration.

(4)In any proceedings against—

(a)any Assembly member,

(b)the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer,

(c)any member of the staff of the Assembly, or

(d)the Assembly Commission,

the court must not grant a mandatory, prohibiting or quashing order or an injunction, make an order for specific performance or stay the proceedings if the effect of doing so would be to give any relief against the Assembly which could not have been given in proceedings against the Assembly.

(5)References in this section to an order include an order which is not final.

Commencement Information

I38Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

42DefamationU.K.

(1)For the purposes of the law of defamation—

(a)any statement made in Assembly proceedings, and

(b)the publication under the authority of the Assembly of any statement,

is absolutely privileged.

(2)The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for and in connection with establishing in any legal proceedings that any statement or publication is absolutely privileged by virtue of subsection (1).

(3)No regulations are to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(4)In this section “statement” has the same meaning as in the Defamation Act 1996 (c. 31).

Commencement Information

I39Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

43Contempt of courtU.K.

(1)The strict liability rule does not apply in relation to any publication—

(a)made in, for the purposes of, or for purposes incidental to, Assembly proceedings, or

(b)to the extent that it consists of a report of Assembly proceedings which either is made by or under the authority of the Assembly or is fair and accurate and made in good faith.

(2)In subsection (1)—

  • the strict liability rule”, and

  • publication”,

have the same meaning as in the Contempt of Court Act 1981 (c. 49).

Commencement Information

I40Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

F3844Corrupt practicesU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Part 2U.K.Welsh F37... Government

GovernmentU.K.

45Welsh F37... GovernmentU.K.

(1)There is to be a Welsh F37... Government, or Llywodraeth F39... Cymru, whose members are—

(a)the First Minister or Prif Weinidog (see sections 46 and 47),

(b)the Welsh Ministers, or Gweinidogion Cymru, appointed under section 48,

(c)the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government or Cwnsler Cyffredinol i Lywodraeth F39... Cymru (see section 49) (referred to in this Act as “the Counsel General”), and

(d)the Deputy Welsh Ministers or Dirprwy Weinidogion Cymru (see section 50).

(2)In this Act and in any other enactment or instrument the First Minister and the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48 are referred to collectively as the Welsh Ministers.

Textual Amendments

F39Words in s. 45(1) omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 4(2)(b), 29(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I41Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Ministers, staff etc.U.K.

46The First MinisterU.K.

(1)The First Minister is to be appointed by Her Majesty after nomination in accordance with section 47.

(2)The First Minister holds office at Her Majesty's pleasure.

(3)The First Minister may at any time tender resignation to Her Majesty and ceases to hold office as First Minister when it is accepted.

(4)A person ceases to hold office as the First Minister if another person is appointed to that office.

(5)The functions of the First Minister are exercisable by a person designated by the Presiding Officer if—

(a)the office of the First Minister is vacant,

(b)the First Minister is for any reason unable to act, or

(c)the First Minister has ceased to be an Assembly member[F40otherwise than by reason of a dissolution].

(6)A person may not be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister unless the person is—

(a)an Assembly member, or

(b)if the Assembly has been dissolved, a person who ceased to be an Assembly member by reason of the dissolution.

(7)A person may be designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister only on the recommendation of the Welsh Ministers (unless there is no-one holding office as a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48).

(8)If a person is designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister, the designation continues to have effect even if the Assembly is dissolved.

Textual Amendments

F40Words in s. 46(5)(c) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 5, 29(2)(a)

Commencement Information

I42Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

47Choice of First MinisterU.K.

(1)If one of the following events occurs, the Assembly must, before the end of the relevant period, nominate an Assembly member for appointment as First Minister.

(2)The events are—

(a)the holding of a poll at a general election,

(b)the Assembly resolving that the Welsh Ministers no longer enjoy the confidence of the Assembly,

(c)the First Minister tendering resignation to Her Majesty,

(d)the First Minister dying or becoming permanently unable to act and to tender resignation, and

(e)the First Minister ceasing to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution.

(3)The relevant period is the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the event occurs; but—

(a)if another of those events occurs within that period, the relevant period is (subject to paragraph (b)) extended to end with the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which that other event occurs, and

(b)the relevant period ends if the Assembly passes a resolution under section 5(2)(a) or when Her Majesty appoints a person as the First Minister.

(4)The Presiding Officer must recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of the person nominated by the Assembly under subsection (1).

Commencement Information

I43Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

48Welsh MinistersU.K.

(1)The First Minister may, with the approval of Her Majesty, appoint Welsh Ministers from among the Assembly members.

(2)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section holds office at Her Majesty's pleasure.

(3)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section may be removed from office by the First Minister.

(4)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section may at any time resign.

(5)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section must resign if the Assembly resolves that the Welsh Ministers no longer enjoy the confidence of the Assembly.

(6)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section who resigns ceases to hold office immediately.

(7)A Welsh Minister appointed under this section ceases to hold office on ceasing to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution.

Commencement Information

I44Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

49Counsel GeneralU.K.

(1)The Counsel General is to be appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the First Minister.

(2)The Counsel General may be removed from office by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the First Minister.

(3)No recommendation for the appointment or removal of a person as the Counsel General may be made by the First Minister without the agreement of the Assembly.

(4)The Counsel General may at any time tender resignation to Her Majesty and ceases to hold office as Counsel General when it is accepted.

(5)The Counsel General ceases to hold office if an Assembly member is nominated under section 47(1) for appointment as First Minister.

(6)The functions of the Counsel General are exercisable by a person designated by the First Minister if—

(a)the office of the Counsel General is vacant, or

(b)the Counsel General is for any reason unable to act.

(7)But subsection (6) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which a person is designated under it and does not have effect again until after the office of the Counsel General has been filled, or the Counsel General has again become able to act.

(8)The designation of a person under subsection (6) ceases to have effect if an Assembly member is nominated under section 47(1) for appointment as First Minister.

(9)A person holding office as the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or a Deputy Welsh Minister may not be appointed as the Counsel General or designated under subsection (6); and the Counsel General or a person so designated may not be appointed to any of those offices.

Commencement Information

I45Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

50Deputy Welsh MinistersU.K.

(1)The First Minister may, with the approval of Her Majesty, appoint Deputy Welsh Ministers from among the Assembly members to assist the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or the Counsel General in the exercise of functions.

(2)A Deputy Welsh Minister holds office at Her Majesty's pleasure.

(3)A Deputy Welsh Minister may be removed from office by the First Minister.

(4)A Deputy Welsh Minister may at any time resign.

(5)A Deputy Welsh Minister must resign if the Assembly resolves that the Welsh Ministers no longer enjoy the confidence of the Assembly.

(6)A Deputy Welsh Minister who resigns ceases to hold office immediately.

(7)A Deputy Welsh Minister ceases to hold office on ceasing to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution.

Commencement Information

I46Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

51Limit on number of MinistersU.K.

(1)No more than twelve persons are to hold a relevant Welsh Ministerial office at any time.

(2)A relevant Welsh Ministerial office means the office of Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or the office of Deputy Welsh Minister.

Commencement Information

I47Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

52StaffU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may appoint persons to be members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.

(2)Service as a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government is service in the [F41civil service of the State].

[F42(3)See Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (in particular, sections 3 and 4) for provision affecting—

(a)subsection (1), and

(b)any other enactment about the appointment of persons as members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.]

[F43(4) See also section 1 of the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992 under which functions conferred on the Minister for the Civil Service by section 3 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 may be delegated to the Welsh Ministers etc.]

(5)The Welsh Ministers are to pay the salaries and expenses of the members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.

(6)Section 1(2) and (3) of the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11) (delegation of functions relating to civil service superannuation schemes by Minister for the Civil Service to another Minister etc. and consultation by that Minister or another Minister) have effect as if the references to a Minister of the Crown other than the Minister for the Civil Service included the Welsh Ministers.

(7)The Welsh Ministers must make payments to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as the Minister for the Civil Service may determine, of such amounts as may be so determined in respect of—

(a)the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities by virtue of section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972 to or in respect of persons who are or have been members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government, and

(b)the expenses incurred in administering those pensions, allowances and gratuities.

(8)The Welsh Ministers may make payments towards the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of any person who is or has been a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.

(9)Without prejudice to any rule of law with respect to the carrying out of functions by members of the [F41civil service of the State ] under authority, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General may authorise the staff of the Welsh F37... Government to carry out any function on their behalf.

(10)F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I48Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Remuneration, oaths etc.U.K.

53RemunerationU.K.

(1)[F45Provision must be made] for the payment of salaries to persons to whom this section applies.

(2)[F46Provision may be made] for the payment of allowances to persons to whom this section applies.

(3)[F47Provision may be made] for the payment of pensions, gratuities or allowances to, or in respect of, any person who has ceased to be a person to whom this section applies.

(4)Such provision may, in particular, include provision for—

(a)contributions or payments towards provision for such pensions, gratuities or allowances, and

(b)the establishment and administration (whether by the Assembly Commission or otherwise) of one or more pension schemes.

(5)This section applies to—

(a)the First Minister,

(b)every Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(c)the Counsel General, and

(d)every Deputy Welsh Minister.

(6)Sums required for the making of payments by virtue of provision under this section are payable out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

[F48(7)Provision under this section is to be made by determination made by the Board.]

[F49(8)The Assembly Commission must give effect to any determination made by the Board under this section.]

Textual Amendments

F45Words in s. 53(1) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 12 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F46Words in s. 53(2) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 13 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F47Words in s. 53(3) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 14 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F48S. 53(7) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 15 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F49S. 53(8) inserted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 16 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

Commencement Information

I49Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

54Remuneration: supplementaryU.K.

(1)Different provision may be made under section 53 for different cases.

(2)[F50The Assembly Commission] must ensure that information concerning—

(a)the amounts paid to each person to whom section 53 applies as salary and allowances, and

(b)the total amount paid to such persons as salaries and allowances,

is published for each financial year F51. . .

[F52(3)The Assembly Commission must lay before the Assembly every determination made by the Board under section 53(7) as soon as is reasonably practicable after it is made.]

(4)Provision made under section 53(3) does not affect pensions or allowances in payment before the provision was made.

Textual Amendments

F50Words in s. 54(2) substituted (24.9.2010) by virtue of National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 17 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F51Words in s. 54(2) omitted (24.9.2010) by virtue of National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 17 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

F52S. 54(3) substituted (24.9.2010) by National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), ss. 16, 20(3)(4), Sch. 3 para. 18 (with s. 19) (the amending provision coming into force the day after notice under s. 20(3)(4) of the amending Measure was laid before the Assembly on 23.9.2010)

Commencement Information

I50Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

55Oath or affirmationU.K.

(1)On appointment as the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or the Counsel General a person must take the official oath in the form set out in section 3 of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) (or make the corresponding affirmation).

(2)On appointment as the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48, the Counsel General or a Deputy Welsh Minister a person must take the oath of allegiance in the form set out in section 2 of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (or make the corresponding affirmation).

(3)But subsection (2) does not require a person who is an Assembly member to take the oath of allegiance (or make the corresponding affirmation) again if it has been taken (or made) in compliance with the person's duty on the person's return (or, if returned more than once, most recent return) as an Assembly member.

(4)An oath required by this section is to be taken (or the corresponding affirmation made)—

(a)before one of the Presiding Judges for the Wales and Chester Circuit (or for any appropriate area which is specified in a direction under section 72(4) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41)), or

(b)(if no such Presiding Judge is available) before another judge nominated by the Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales.

(5)Until a person who is required to take an oath (or make an affirmation) by this section in respect of any office has done so, no salary, allowance, gratuity or payment towards the provision of a pension, allowance or gratuity is to be paid under this Act to or in respect of the person as a holder of that office.

(6)But subsection (5) does not affect any entitlement to payments in respect of the period before the person took the oath (or made the affirmation) once the person has done so.

Commencement Information

I51Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

FunctionsU.K.

56IntroductionU.K.

(1)The persons to whom this section applies have the functions conferred or imposed on them by or by virtue of this Act or any other enactment or prerogative instrument.

(2)This section applies to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General.

Commencement Information

I52Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

57Exercise of functionsU.K.

(1)Functions may be conferred or imposed on the Welsh Ministers by that name.

(2)Functions of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General are exercisable on behalf of Her Majesty.

(3)Functions of the Welsh Ministers are exercisable by the First Minister or any of the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48.

(4)Any act or omission of, or in relation to, the First Minister or any of the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48 is to be treated as an act or omission of, or in relation to, each of them.

(5)But subsection (4) does not apply in relation to the exercise of functions conferred or imposed on the First Minister alone.

(6)Where a function conferred or imposed on the Counsel General is (either generally or in particular circumstances) exercisable concurrently by the Welsh Ministers or the First Minister, subsection (4) applies in relation to the exercise of the function (or to its exercise in those circumstances) as if the Counsel General were included among the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I53Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

58Transfer of Ministerial functionsU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council—

(a)provide for the transfer to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of any function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to Wales [F53or the Welsh zone],

(b)direct that any function so far as so exercisable is to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General concurrently with the Minister of the Crown, or

(c)direct that any function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to Wales [F54or the Welsh zone] is to be exercisable by the Minister of the Crown only with the agreement of, or after consultation with, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

[F55(1A)An Order in Council under this section may not make provision about a function of a Minister of the Crown exercisable in relation to the area of the Welsh zone beyond the seaward limit of the territorial sea unless the function is connected with fishing, fisheries or fish health.

(1B)Subsection (1A) does not have effect in relation to an Order in Council to the extent that it contains provision made by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 (functions exercisable beyond the territorial sea).]

(2)An Order in Council under this section may, in particular, provide for any function exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by virtue of an Order in Council under subsection (1)(a) or (b) to be exercisable either generally or in such circumstances as may be specified in the Order in Council, concurrently with any other of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

(3)An Order in Council under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order in Council.

(4)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council—

(a)has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament, and

(b)has been approved by the Welsh Ministers.

(5)For further provision in connection with the transfer etc. of functions by Orders in Council under this section see Schedule 3.

Textual Amendments

F53Words in s. 58(1)(a) inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(3)(a); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

F54Words in s. 58(1)(c) inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(3)(b); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

F55S. 58(1A)(1B) inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(3)(c); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

Commencement Information

I54Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

59Implementation of [F56EU] lawU.K.

(1)The power to designate a Minister of the Crown or government department under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68) may be exercised to designate the Welsh Ministers.

(2)Accordingly, the Welsh Ministers may exercise the power conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in relation to any matter, or for any purpose, if they have been designated in relation to that matter or for that purpose, but subject to such restrictions or conditions (if any) as may be specified by the Order in Council designating them.

(3)A statutory instrument containing provision made by the Welsh Ministers in the exercise of that power, if made without a draft having been approved by resolution of the Assembly, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

(4)Paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972 (Parliamentary procedure) does not apply to the statutory instrument unless it contains provision—

(a)made by a Minister of the Crown or government department (whether or not jointly with the Welsh Ministers),

(b)relating to an English border area, or

(c)relating to a cross-border body (and not relating only to the exercise of functions, or the carrying on of activities, by the body in or with respect to [F57Wales, the Welsh zone or a part of Wales or the Welsh zone]).

(5)The power conferred by section 56 of the Finance Act 1973 (c. 51) (services provided in pursuance of [F56an EU] obligation etc.) on the Minister in charge of a government department to make (with the consent of the Treasury) regulations prescribing, or providing for the determination of, fees and charges in respect of things done by the department may be exercised by the Welsh Ministers (with the consent of the Treasury) for prescribing, or providing for the determination of, fees and charges in respect of corresponding things done by the Welsh Ministers.

(6)A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Welsh Ministers in the exercise of that power is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

(7)Section 56(4) of the Finance Act 1973 does not cause the statutory instrument to be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament unless it contains regulations—

(a)made by a Minister of the Crown or government department (whether or not jointly with the Welsh Ministers),

(b)relating to an English border area, or

(c)relating to a cross-border body (and not relating only to the exercise of functions, or the carrying on of activities, by the body in or with respect to [F58Wales, the Welsh zone or a part of Wales or the Welsh zone]).

Textual Amendments

F57Words in s. 59(4)(c) substituted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(4)(a); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

F58Words in s. 59(7)(c) substituted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(4)(b); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5S. 59(3) modified (12.11.2009) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 143(2)(b), 182(1)(c) (with s. 180)

Commencement Information

I55Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

60Promotion etc. of well-beingU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may do anything which they consider appropriate to achieve any one or more of the following objects—

(a)the promotion or improvement of the economic well-being of Wales,

(b)the promotion or improvement of the social well-being of Wales, and

(c)the promotion or improvement of the environmental well-being of Wales.

(2)The power under subsection (1) may be exercised in relation to or for the benefit of—

(a)the whole or any part of Wales, or

(b)all or any persons resident or present in Wales.

(3)The power under subsection (1) includes power to do anything in relation to or for the benefit of any area outside Wales, or all or any persons resident or present anywhere outside Wales, if the Welsh Ministers consider that it is likely to achieve one or more of the objects in that subsection.

(4)The power under subsection (1) includes power—

(a)to enter into arrangements or agreements with any person,

(b)to co-operate with, or facilitate or co-ordinate the activities of, any person,

(c)to exercise on behalf of any person any functions of that person, and

(d)to provide staff, goods, services or accommodation to any person.

Commencement Information

I56Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

61Support of culture etc.U.K.

The Welsh Ministers may do anything which they consider appropriate to support—

(a)archaeological remains in Wales,

(b)ancient monuments in Wales,

(c)buildings and places of historical or architectural interest in Wales,

(d)historic wrecks in Wales,

(e)arts and crafts relating to Wales,

(f)museums and galleries in Wales,

(g)libraries in Wales,

(h)archives and historical records relating to Wales,

(i)cultural activities and projects relating to Wales,

(j)sport and recreational activities relating to Wales, and

(k)the Welsh language.

Commencement Information

I57Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

62Representations about matters affecting WalesU.K.

The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General may make appropriate representations about any matter affecting Wales.

Commencement Information

I58Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

63Consultation about cross-border bodiesU.K.

(1)A Minister of the Crown must consult the Welsh Ministers—

(a)before exercising any function which relates to the appointment or removal of a relevant cross-border body,

(b)before exercising any function which relates to the appointment or removal of any member or office-holder of a relevant cross-border body, other than one who is not concerned in the functions or activities which the body exercises or carries on in or with respect to Wales, and

(c)before exercising, in relation to a relevant cross-border body, any function the exercise of which might affect Wales in relation to any matter as respects which functions are exercisable by the Welsh Ministers.

(2)A body is a relevant cross-border body if it is a cross-border body which exercises functions of a public nature and which is not a government department.

(3)Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the exercise of a function if it is not reasonably practicable to comply with it in relation to the exercise of the function (for reasons of urgency or for any other reasons).

(4)If subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the exercise of a function by a Minister of the Crown by reason of subsection (3), the Minister of the Crown must as soon as is reasonably practicable inform the Welsh Ministers of the exercise of the function and of the reasons for its exercise.

(5)A failure to comply with subsection (1) in relation to the exercise of a function does not affect the validity of its exercise.

Commencement Information

I59Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

64Polls for ascertaining views of the publicU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may hold a poll in an area consisting of Wales or any part (or parts) of Wales for the purpose of ascertaining the views of those polled about whether or how any of the functions of the Welsh Ministers (other than that under section 62) should be exercised.

(2)The persons entitled to vote in a poll under this section are those who—

(a)would be entitled to vote as electors at a local government election in an electoral area wholly or partly included in the area in which the poll is held, and

(b)are registered in the register of local government electors at an address within the area in which the poll is held.

(3)The Welsh Ministers may by order make provision—

(a)as to the conduct of polls (or any poll) under this section, or

(b)for the combination of polls (or any poll) under this section with polls at any elections.

(4)An order under subsection (3) may apply or incorporate, with or without modifications or exceptions, any provision of or made under any enactment relating to elections or referendums; and the provision which may be made under paragraph (a) of that subsection includes, in particular, provision for disregarding alterations in a register of electors.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I60Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

65Private billsU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may promote private bills in Parliament and may oppose any private bill in Parliament.

(2)Subsection (1) does not cause the Welsh Ministers to have power to apply for orders under section 1 or 3 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42) by virtue of section 20 of that Act (which gives a body with power to promote and oppose private bills power to apply for and object to such orders).

Commencement Information

I61Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

66Provision of information to TreasuryU.K.

Where it appears to the Treasury that any information in the possession, or under the control, of the Welsh Ministers is required for the exercise of any function by the Treasury, the Treasury may require the Welsh Ministers to provide the information to the Treasury in such form as the Treasury may reasonably specify.

Commencement Information

I62Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

67Legal proceedingsU.K.

(1)Where the Counsel General considers it appropriate for the promotion or protection of the public interest, the Counsel General may institute in the Counsel General's name, defend or appear in any legal proceedings to which this section applies.

(2)This section applies to legal proceedings relating to matters with respect to which any functions of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General are exercisable.

Commencement Information

I63Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

68ContractsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order provide that the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 (c. 65) applies in relation to contracts entered into by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General but subject to any appropriate modifications.

(2)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I64Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

69Charges for documentsU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may make a charge for supplying copies of (or of any part of) any document which they publish or make available for public inspection.

(2)Subsection (1) has effect subject to any provision contained in, or made under, any enactment which makes provision for—

(a)the making of charges for the inspection of documents,

(b)the making of charges for supplying copies of documents (or parts of documents), or

(c)the supply of copies of documents (or parts of documents) free of charge.

(3)This section applies to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I65Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

70Financial assistanceU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers may give financial assistance (whether by way of grant, loan or guarantee) to any person engaged in any activity which the Welsh Ministers consider will secure, or help to secure, the attainment of any objective which they aim to attain in the exercise of any of their functions.

(2)The Welsh Ministers may attach conditions to the giving of financial assistance by them; and the conditions which may be attached include, in particular, conditions requiring the repayment of the whole or any part of a grant, or the making of any other payments, in any circumstances.

(3)This section applies in relation to the First Minister and the Counsel General as in relation to the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I66Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

71SupplementaryU.K.

(1)The persons to whom this section applies may do anything (including the acquisition or disposal of any property or rights) which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the exercise of any of their other functions.

(2)This section applies to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General.

Commencement Information

I67Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

“Inclusive” approach to exercise of functionsU.K.

72Partnership CouncilU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must establish and maintain a body to be known as the Partnership Council for Wales or Cyngor Partneriaeth Cymru (“the Partnership Council”).

(2)The Partnership Council is to consist of members appointed by the Welsh Ministers from among—

(a)the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the Deputy Welsh Ministers, and

(c)the members of local authorities in Wales.

(3)Before appointing members of the Partnership Council under subsection (2)(c), the Welsh Ministers must consult such associations of local authorities in Wales as they consider appropriate.

(4)The Partnership Council may—

(a)give advice to the Welsh Ministers about matters affecting the exercise of any of their functions,

(b)make representations to the Welsh Ministers about any matters affecting, or of concern to, those involved in local government in Wales, and

(c)give advice to those involved in local government in Wales.

(5)For the purposes of this section the following are local authorities in Wales—

(a)county councils, county borough councils and community councils in Wales,

(b)National Park authorities for National Parks in Wales,

(c)[F59police and crime commissioners] for police areas in Wales,

(d)fire and rescue authorities for areas in Wales, and

(e)authorities of any description specified for the purposes of this paragraph by order made by the Welsh Ministers.

(6)No order may be made under subsection (5)(e) unless the Welsh Ministers have consulted the Partnership Council.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (5)(e) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I68Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

73Local government schemeU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must make a scheme (“the local government scheme”) setting out how they propose, in the exercise of their functions, to sustain and promote local government in Wales.

(2)The Welsh Ministers—

(a)must keep the local government scheme under review, and

(b)may from time to time remake or revise it.

(3)In determining the provision to be included in the local government scheme, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to any advice which has been given, and to any representations which have been made, to them by the Partnership Council.

(4)The Welsh Ministers must publish the local government scheme when they make it and whenever they remake it; and, if they revise the scheme without remaking it, they must publish either the revisions or the scheme as revised (as they consider appropriate).

(5)If the Welsh Ministers publish a scheme or revisions under subsection (4) they must lay a copy of the scheme or revisions before the Assembly.

(6)After each financial year the Welsh Ministers must—

(a)publish a report of how the proposals set out in the local government scheme were implemented in that financial year, and

(b)lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I69Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

74Voluntary sector schemeU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must make a scheme (“the voluntary sector scheme”) setting out how they propose, in the exercise of their functions, to promote the interests of relevant voluntary organisations.

(2)In this section “relevant voluntary organisations” means bodies (other than local authorities or other public bodies) whose activities—

(a)are carried on otherwise than for profit, and

(b)directly or indirectly benefit the whole or any part of Wales (whether or not they also benefit any other area).

(3)In determining the provision to be included in the voluntary sector scheme, the Welsh Ministers must consider how they intend to exercise such of their functions as relate to matters affecting, or of concern to, relevant voluntary organisations.

(4)The voluntary sector scheme must specify—

(a)how the Welsh Ministers propose to provide assistance to relevant voluntary organisations (whether by grants, loans, guarantees or any other means),

(b)how the Welsh Ministers propose to monitor the use made of any assistance provided by them to relevant voluntary organisations, and

(c)how the Welsh Ministers propose to consult relevant voluntary organisations about the exercise of such of their functions as relate to matters affecting, or of concern to, such organisations.

(5)The Welsh Ministers—

(a)must keep the voluntary sector scheme under review, and

(b)may from time to time remake or revise it.

(6)Before making, remaking or revising the voluntary sector scheme, the Welsh Ministers must consult such relevant voluntary organisations as they consider appropriate.

(7)The Welsh Ministers must publish the voluntary sector scheme when they make it and whenever they remake it; and, if they revise the scheme without remaking it, they must publish either the revisions or the scheme as revised (as they consider appropriate).

(8)If the Welsh Ministers publish a scheme or revisions under subsection (7) they must lay a copy of the scheme or revisions before the Assembly.

(9)After each financial year the Welsh Ministers must—

(a)publish a report of how the proposals set out in the voluntary sector scheme were implemented in that financial year, and

(b)lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I70Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

75Business schemeU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must make a scheme (“the business scheme”) setting out how they propose, in the exercise of their functions, to take account of the interests of business.

(2)The business scheme must specify how the Welsh Ministers propose—

(a)to carry out consultation about the exercise of such of their functions as relate to matters affecting the interests of business, and

(b)to consider the impact of the exercise of their functions on the interests of business.

(3)The Welsh Ministers—

(a)must keep the business scheme under review, and

(b)may from time to time remake or revise it.

(4)Before making, remaking or revising the business scheme, the Welsh Ministers must consult such organisations representative of business (including trade unions) and such other organisations as they consider appropriate.

(5)The Welsh Ministers must publish the business scheme when they make it and whenever they remake it; and, if they revise the scheme without remaking it, they must publish either the revisions or the scheme as revised (as they consider appropriate).

(6)If the Welsh Ministers publish a scheme or revisions under subsection (5) they must lay a copy of the scheme or revisions before the Assembly.

(7)The Welsh Ministers must—

(a)within the period of two years beginning with the day on which the business scheme is first made, and

(b)subsequently at intervals of no more than two years,

publish a report of how the proposals set out in the business scheme have been implemented.

(8)The Welsh Ministers must lay before the Assembly a copy of each report published under subsection (7).

Commencement Information

I71Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

76Regulatory impact assessmentsU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must make a code of practice setting out their policy on—

(a)the carrying out of regulatory impact assessments in connection with relevant Welsh subordinate legislation, and

(b)the carrying out of consultation in connection with regulatory impact assessments,

(“the regulatory impact assessment code”).

(2)For the purposes of this section—

(a)a regulatory impact assessment is an assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with relevant Welsh subordinate legislation, and

(b)subordinate legislation is relevant Welsh subordinate legislation if it is made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General and the statutory instrument (or a draft of the statutory instrument) containing it is required to be laid before the Assembly.

(3)The Welsh Ministers—

(a)must keep the regulatory impact assessment code under review, and

(b)may from time to time remake or revise it.

(4)Before making, remaking or revising the regulatory impact assessment code, the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(5)The Welsh Ministers must publish the regulatory impact assessment code when they make it and whenever they remake it; and, if they revise the code without remaking it, they must publish either the revisions or the code as revised (as they consider appropriate).

(6)If the Welsh Ministers publish a code or revisions under subsection (5) they must lay a copy of the code or revisions before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I72Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

77Equality of opportunityU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must make appropriate arrangements with a view to securing that their functions are exercised with due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people.

(2)After each financial year the Welsh Ministers must publish a report containing—

(a)a statement of the arrangements made in pursuance of subsection (1) which had effect during that financial year, and

(b)an assessment of how effective those arrangements were in promoting equality of opportunity,

and must lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I73Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

78The Welsh languageU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must adopt a strategy (“the Welsh language strategy”) setting out how they propose to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language.

F60(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F60(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)The Welsh Ministers—

(a)must keep under review F61... the Welsh language strategy F61..., and

(b)may from time to time adopt a new strategy or [F62revise it].

(5)Before adopting or revising a strategy F63..., the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(6)The Welsh Ministers must publish the Welsh language strategy F64... when they first adopt it and—

(a)if they adopt a new strategy F65... they must publish it, and

(b)if they revise the Welsh language strategy F66... (rather than adopting a new strategy F65...) they must publish either the revisions or the strategy F65... as revised (as they consider appropriate).

(7)If the Welsh Ministers publish a strategy F67..., or revisions, under subsection (6) they must lay a copy of the strategy or scheme, or revisions, before the Assembly.

[F68(8)After each financial year the Welsh Ministers must publish a report of how the proposals set out in the Welsh language strategy were implemented in that financial year and how effective their implementation has been in promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language and must lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.]

[F69(9)For each financial year, the Welsh Ministers must publish a plan setting out how they will implement the proposals set out in the Welsh language strategy during that year.

(10)The plan must be published as soon as reasonably practicable before the commencement of the financial year to which it relates.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I74Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F7079Sustainable developmentU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must, in the exercise of their functions, make appropriate arrangements to promote sustainable development.

(2)After each financial year the Welsh Ministers must publish a report containing a statement of the arrangements made in pursuance of subsection (1) that had effect during that financial year and must lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

(3)The arrangements referred to in subsection (1) may be made by the Welsh Ministers exercising their functions under section (2) of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (duty of Welsh public bodies to set objectives and take steps to meet them in accordance with the sustainable development principle).]

[F56EU] law, human rights and international obligations etc.U.K.

80[F56EU] lawU.K.

(1)[F56An] [F56EU] obligation of the United Kingdom is also an obligation of the Welsh Ministers if and to the extent that the obligation could be implemented (or enabled to be implemented) or complied with by the exercise by the Welsh Ministers of any of their functions.

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply in the case of [F56an] [F56EU] obligation of the United Kingdom if—

(a)it is an obligation to achieve a result defined by reference to a quantity (whether expressed as an amount, proportion or ratio or otherwise), and

(b)the quantity relates to the United Kingdom (or to an area including the United Kingdom or to an area consisting of a part of the United Kingdom which includes [F71the whole or part of Wales or of the Welsh zone]).

(3)But if such [F56an] [F56EU] obligation could (to any extent) be implemented (or enabled to be implemented) or complied with by the exercise by the Welsh Ministers of any of their functions, a Minister of the Crown may by order provide for the achievement by the Welsh Ministers (in the exercise of their functions) of so much of the result to be achieved under the [F56EU] obligation as is specified in the order.

(4)The order may specify the time by which any part of the result to be achieved by the Welsh Ministers is to be achieved.

(5)No order is to be made by a Minister of the Crown under subsection (3) unless the Minister of the Crown has consulted the Welsh Ministers.

(6)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)Where an order under subsection (3) is in force in relation to [F56an] [F56EU] obligation, to the extent that the [F56EU] obligation involves achieving what is specified in the order it is also an obligation of the Welsh Ministers (enforceable as if it were an obligation of the Welsh Ministers under subsection (1)).

(8)The Welsh Ministers have no power—

(a)to make, confirm or approve any subordinate legislation, or

(b)to do any other act,

so far as the subordinate legislation or act is incompatible with [F56EU] law or an obligation under subsection (7).

(9)Subsections (1) and (8) apply to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers.

Textual Amendments

F71Words in s. 80(2)(b) substituted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(5); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

Commencement Information

I75Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

81Human rightsU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers have no power—

(a)to make, confirm or approve any subordinate legislation, or

(b)to do any other act,

so far as the subordinate legislation or act is incompatible with any of the Convention rights.

(2)Subsection (1) does not enable a person—

(a)to bring any proceedings in a court or tribunal, or

(b)to rely on any of the Convention rights in any such proceedings,

in respect of an act unless that person would be a victim for the purposes of Article 34 of the Convention if proceedings were brought in the European Court of Human Rights in respect of that act.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply to the Attorney General, the Counsel General, the Advocate General for Scotland, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland or the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

(4)Subsection (1)—

(a)does not apply to an act which, by virtue of subsection (2) of section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42), is not unlawful under subsection (1) of that section, and

(b)does not enable a court or tribunal to award in respect of any act any damages which it could not award on finding the act unlawful under that subsection.

(5)Subsection (1) applies to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers.

(6)In subsection (2) “the Convention” has the same meaning as in the Human Rights Act 1998.

Commencement Information

I76Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

82International obligations etc.U.K.

(1)If the Secretary of State considers that any action proposed to be taken by the Welsh Ministers would be incompatible with any international obligation, the Secretary of State may by order direct that the proposed action is not to be taken.

(2)If the Secretary of State considers that an action capable of being taken by the Welsh Ministers is required for the purposes of giving effect to any international obligation, the Secretary of State may by order direct the Welsh Ministers to take the action.

(3)If the Secretary of State considers that any subordinate legislation made, or which could be revoked, by the Welsh Ministers is incompatible with any international obligation or the interests of defence or national security, the Secretary of State may by order revoke the legislation.

(4)An order under subsection (3) may include provision for the order to have effect from a date earlier than that on which it is made; but—

(a)such a provision does not affect any rights or liabilities acquired or incurred before the date on which the order is made, and

(b)no person is to be guilty of an offence merely because of such a provision.

(5)The Secretary of State may make an order containing provision such as is specified in subsection (6) where—

(a)an international obligation is an obligation to achieve a result defined by reference to a quantity (whether expressed as an amount, proportion or ratio or otherwise), and

(b)the quantity relates to the United Kingdom (or to an area including the United Kingdom or to an area consisting of a part of the United Kingdom which includes [F72the whole or part of Wales or of the Welsh zone]).

(6)The provision referred to in subsection (5) is provision for the achievement by the Welsh Ministers (in the exercise of their functions) of so much of the result to be achieved under the international obligation as is specified in the order.

(7)The order may specify the time by which any part of the result to be achieved by the Welsh Ministers is to be achieved.

(8)Where an order under subsection (5) is in force in relation to an international obligation, references to the international obligation in subsections (1) to (3) are to an obligation to achieve so much of the result to be achieved under the international obligation as is specified in the order by the time or times so specified.

(9)No order is to be made by the Secretary of State under subsection (2), (3) or (5) unless the Secretary of State has consulted the Welsh Ministers.

(10)An order under this section must state the reasons for making it.

(11)A statutory instrument containing—

(a)subject to subsection (12), an order under subsection (1), or

(b)an order under subsection (5),

is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(12)A statutory instrument containing only an order under subsection (1) revoking a previous order under that subsection—

(a)is not subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, but

(b)is to be laid before Parliament.

(13)No order is to be made under subsection (2) or (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(14)Subsections (1), (2) and (3) apply to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers; and where subsection (9) operates in relation to an order under subsection (2) or (3) relating to the First Minister or the Counsel General the reference in subsection (9) to the Welsh Ministers is to the First Minister or the Counsel General.

(15)In this section “action” includes making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation and in subsection (2) also includes introducing into the Assembly a proposed Assembly Measure or a Bill.

Textual Amendments

F72Words in s. 82(5)(b) substituted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(6); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

Commencement Information

I77Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Functions: supplementaryU.K.

83Agency arrangements and provision of servicesU.K.

(1)Arrangements may be made between the Welsh Ministers and any relevant authority for—

(a)any functions of one of them to be exercised by the other,

(b)any functions of the Welsh Ministers to be exercised by members of staff of the relevant authority,

(c)any functions of the relevant authority to be exercised by members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government, or

(d)the provision of administrative, professional or technical services by one of them for the other.

(2)Any arrangements under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1) for the exercise of functions of the Welsh Ministers do not affect the responsibility of the Welsh Ministers; and such arrangements for the exercise of any functions of a relevant authority do not affect the responsibility of the relevant authority.

(3)The references in subsections (1) and (2) to functions do not include functions of making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation contained in a statutory instrument.

(4)In this section “relevant authority” means any Minister of the Crown or government department, any public authority (including any local authority) in England and Wales or the holder of any public office in England and Wales.

(5)This section applies to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C6S. 83 modified by 2005 c. 11, s. 15(3) (as inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(3), 29(2)(b), (3))

Commencement Information

I78Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

84Different exercise of functions by Welsh Ministers etc.U.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)an enactment confers or imposes a function exercisable in relation to England and Wales, and

(b)the function is to any extent conferred or imposed on the Welsh Ministers by the enactment or transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers by or by virtue of this Act.

(2)The enactment is to be taken to permit—

(a)the exercise of the function by the Welsh Ministers whether or not it is exercised otherwise than by the Welsh Ministers, and

(b)the exercise of the function differently by the Welsh Ministers (on the one hand) and otherwise than by the Welsh Ministers (on the other).

(3)The reference in subsection (1)(a) to a function exercisable in relation to England and Wales includes a function exercisable in relation both to England and Wales and to another country or territory or other countries or territories.

(4)Subsection (2) is subject to—

(a)the enactment by which the function is conferred or imposed on the Welsh Ministers, or

(b)any provision by or by virtue of which the function is transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers.

(5)Subsection (2) does not limit any power to exercise a function in relation to Wales whether or not it is exercised in relation to England, or to exercise a function differently in relation to Wales and England, where this section does not apply.

(6)In this section “enactment” includes a future enactment.

(7)This section applies in relation to the First Minister and the Counsel General as to the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I79Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

85Construction of references to Ministers and departmentsU.K.

(1)So far as may be necessary for the purpose or in consequence of the exercise of any functions of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General, any reference in any enactment or other document to—

(a)a Minister of the Crown, or

(b)a government department,

(whether by name or in general terms) is to be construed as being or including a reference to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (according to by whom the function in question is exercisable).

(2)References in any enactment to property vested in or held for the purposes of a government department is to be construed as including references to property vested in or held for the purposes of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (and in relation to property so vested or held the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General are each deemed to be a government department for the purposes of any enactment).

(3)In this section “enactment” includes a future enactment.

Commencement Information

I80Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

86Laying of reports and statementsU.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)any enactment makes provision (“provision for Parliamentary laying”) for any report or statement to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament,

(b)the report or statement is not one which, by or by virtue of this Act, is to be made by or given to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission, and

(c)the report or statement relates to matters with respect to which functions are exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission.

(2)If no functions relating to the matters are exercisable by a Minister of the Crown, the provision for Parliamentary laying is to be construed as provision for the report or statement to be laid before the Assembly instead of before Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(3)If any are, the provision for Parliamentary laying is to be construed as provision for the report or statement to be laid before the Assembly as well as before Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(4)In this section—

(a)references to a report or statement include any other document (except one containing subordinate legislation), and

(b)enactment” includes a future enactment.

Commencement Information

I81Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Property, rights and liabilitiesU.K.

87Property, rights and liabilities of Welsh Ministers etc.U.K.

(1)Property, rights and liabilities may belong to—

(a)the Welsh Ministers by that name,

(b)the First Minister by that name, or

(c)the Counsel General by that name.

(2)Property and rights acquired by or transferred to the Welsh Ministers belong to, and liabilities incurred by the Welsh Ministers are liabilities of, the Welsh Ministers for the time being.

(3)Property and rights acquired by or transferred to any of the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48 belong to, and liabilities incurred by any of those Welsh Ministers are liabilities of, the Welsh Ministers for the time being.

(4)Property and rights acquired by or transferred to the First Minister belong to, and liabilities incurred by the First Minister are liabilities of, the First Minister for the time being.

(5)Property and rights acquired by or transferred to the Counsel General belong to, and liabilities incurred by the Counsel General are liabilities of, the Counsel General for the time being.

(6)In relation to property and rights acquired by or transferred to (or belonging to), or to liabilities incurred by—

(a)the Welsh Ministers or any of the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48,

(b)the First Minister, or

(c)the Counsel General,

references to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in any register or other document are to be read in accordance with this section.

Commencement Information

I82Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

88Transfer of Ministerial property, rights and liabilitiesU.K.

For provision about the transfer of property, rights and liabilities of Ministers of the Crown to the Welsh Ministers etc. see Schedule 4.

Commencement Information

I83Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

SupplementaryU.K.

89Rights and liabilities of the Crown in different capacitiesU.K.

(1)Rights and liabilities may arise between the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and the Crown in right of the Welsh F37... Government by virtue of a contract, by operation of law or by virtue of an enactment as they may arise between subjects.

(2)Property, rights and liabilities may be transferred between the Crown in one of those capacities and the Crown in the other capacity as they may be transferred between subjects; and they may together create, vary or extinguish any property, rights or liabilities as subjects may.

(3)Proceedings in respect of—

(a)any property, rights or liabilities to which the Crown in one of those capacities is entitled or subject under subsection (1) or (2), or

(b)the exercise of, or failure to exercise, any function exercisable by an office-holder of the Crown in one of those capacities,

may be instituted by the Crown in either capacity; and the Crown in the other capacity may be a separate party in the proceedings.

(4)This section applies to the Crown in right of a devolved administration (other than the Welsh F37... Government) as it applies to the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

(5)In this section “office-holder” means—

(a)in relation to the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, any Minister of the Crown or other office-holder under the Crown in that capacity,

(b)in relation to the Crown in right of the Welsh F37... Government, the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or the Counsel General, and

(c)in relation to the Crown in right of a devolved administration other than the Welsh F37... Government, an office-holder in that administration;

and “subject” means a person not acting on behalf of the Crown.

Commencement Information

I84Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

90DocumentsU.K.

(1)A document is validly executed by the Welsh Ministers if it is executed by the First Minister or any Welsh Minister appointed under section 48.

(2)The application of the seal of the Welsh Ministers is to be authenticated by the First Minister, any Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or any person authorised by the Welsh Ministers (whether generally or specifically) for that purpose.

(3)A document purporting to be—

(a)duly executed under the seal of the Welsh Ministers, or

(b)signed on behalf of the Welsh Ministers,

is to be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, is to be taken to be so executed or signed.

(4)A certificate signed by the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 that any document purporting to be executed by the Welsh Ministers or signed by them or on their behalf was so executed or signed is conclusive evidence of that fact.

(5)A document purporting to be signed by or on behalf of—

(a)the First Minister, or

(b)the Counsel General,

is to be received in evidence and, unless the contrary is proved, is to be taken to be so signed.

(6)A certificate signed by the First Minister or the Counsel General that any document purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the First Minister or the Counsel General was so signed is conclusive evidence of that fact.

(7)The Documentary Evidence Act 1868 (c. 37) (proof of documents) has effect as if—

(a)in the first column of Schedule 1 there were included a reference to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 and the Counsel General,

(b)in the second column of that Schedule there were included in connection with that reference a reference to a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government, and

(c)in section 2 of that Act the reference to regulations issued by or under the authority of an officer mentioned in the first column of the Schedule included a reference to any document issued by or under the authority of a person or persons within paragraph (a).

Commencement Information

I85Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

91Validity of actsU.K.

(1)The validity of any act of a person as First Minister is not affected by any defect in the person's nomination by the Assembly.

(2)The validity of any act of a person as the Counsel General is not affected by any defect in the Assembly's agreement to the person's appointment.

Commencement Information

I86Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

92Official secretsU.K.

The following are Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)—

(a)the First Minister and any person designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister,

(b)each Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(c)the Counsel General and any person designated to exercise the functions of the Counsel General, and

(d)each Deputy Welsh Minister.

Commencement Information

I87Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F73Part 3U.K.Assembly Measures

Textual Amendments

F73Pt. 3 ceases to have effect (5.5.2011) by virtue of Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 106(1)(1) (with ss. 106(2), 106A) (as amended (5.5.2011) by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 4; see S.I. 2011/1011, arts. 2, 3 for date of commencement of the Assembly Act provisions)

PowerU.K.

93 Assembly Measures U.K.

(1) The Assembly may make laws, to be known as Measures of the National Assembly for Wales or Mesurau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru (referred to in this Act as “ Assembly Measures ”).

(2)A proposed Assembly Measure is enacted by being passed by the Assembly and approved by Her Majesty in Council.

(3)The validity of an Assembly Measure is not affected by any invalidity in the Assembly proceedings leading to its enactment.

(4)Every Assembly Measure is to be judicially noticed.

(5)This Part does not affect the power of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to make laws for Wales.

Commencement Information

I88Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

94 Legislative competence U.K.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part, an Assembly Measure may make any provision that could be made by an Act of Parliament.

(2)An Assembly Measure is not law so far as any provision of the Assembly Measure is outside the Assembly's legislative competence.

(3)A provision of an Assembly Measure is within the Assembly's legislative competence only if it falls within subsection (4) or (5).

(4)A provision of an Assembly Measure falls within this subsection if—

(a)it relates to one or more of the matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 5 [F74and does not fall within any of the exceptions specified in paragraph A1 of Part 2 of that Schedule (whether or not the exception is under a heading corresponding to the field which includes the matter).], and

(b)it neither applies otherwise than in relation to Wales nor confers, imposes, modifies or removes (or gives power to confer, impose, modify or remove) functions exercisable otherwise than in relation to Wales.

(5)A provision of an Assembly Measure falls within this subsection if—

(a)it provides for the enforcement of a provision (of that or any other Assembly Measure) which falls within subsection (4) or it is otherwise appropriate for making such a provision effective, or

(b)it is otherwise incidental to, or consequential on, such a provision.

(6)But a provision which falls within subsection (4) or (5) is outside the Assembly's legislative competence if—

(a)it breaches any of the restrictions in [F75 paragraphs 1 to 6 of] Part 2 of Schedule 5, having regard to any exception in Part 3 of that Schedule from those restrictions,

( b )it extends otherwise than only to England and Wales, or

(c)it is incompatible with the Convention rights or with [F56EU] law.

(7)For the purposes of this section the question whether a provision of an Assembly Measure relates to one or more of the matters specified in Part 1 of Schedule 5 [F76(or falls within any of the exceptions specified in paragraph A1 of Part 2 of that Schedule)] is to be determined by reference to the purpose of the provision, having regard (among other things) to its effect in all the circumstances.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I89Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

95Legislative competence: supplementaryU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council—

(a)amend Part 1 of Schedule 5 to add a matter which relates to one or more of the fields listed in that Part, or to vary or remove any matter,

(b)amend that Part to add a new field or to vary or remove any field, or

(c)amend Part 2 or 3 of that Schedule.

(2)An Order in Council under this section does not have effect to amend Part 1 of Schedule 5 by adding a field if, at the time when the amendment comes into force, no functions in the field are exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

(3)An Order in Council under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order in Council.

(4)An Order in Council under this section may make provision having retrospective effect.

(5)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council—

(a)has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly, and

(b)having been so approved, has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(6)As soon as is reasonably practicable after the draft of an Order in Council under this section has been approved by a resolution of the Assembly, the First Minister must ensure that—

(a)notice in writing of the resolution, and

(b)a copy of the draft,

is sent to the Secretary of State.

(7)The Secretary of State must, before the end of the period of 60 days beginning immediately after the day on which notice of the Assembly's resolution is received, either—

(a)lay the draft before each House of Parliament, or

(b)give notice in writing to the First Minister of the Secretary of State's refusal to do so and the reasons for that refusal.

(8)As soon as is reasonably practicable after the First Minister receives notice of the Secretary of State's refusal to lay the draft before each House of Parliament and the reasons for that refusal—

(a)the First Minister must lay a copy of the notice before the Assembly, and

(b)the Assembly must ensure that it is published.

(9)In reckoning the period of 60 days mentioned in subsection (7) no account is to be taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(10)The amendment of Schedule 5 by an Order in Council under this section does not affect—

(a)the validity of an Assembly Measure passed before the amendment comes into force, or

(b)the previous or continuing operation of such an Assembly Measure.

96Scrutiny of proposed Orders in CouncilU.K.

The Counsel General or the Attorney General may refer to the Supreme Court for decision the question whether a matter which a proposed Order in Council under section 95 proposes to add to Part 1 of Schedule 5 relates to a field listed in that Part.

ProcedureU.K.

97 Introduction of proposed Assembly Measures U.K.

(1)A proposed Assembly Measure may, subject to the standing orders, be introduced in the Assembly—

(a)by the First Minister, any Welsh Minister appointed under section 48, any Deputy Welsh Minister or the Counsel General, or

(b)by any other Assembly member.

(2)The person in charge of a proposed Assembly Measure must, on or before the introduction of the proposed Assembly Measure, state that, in that person's view, its provisions would be within the Assembly's legislative competence.

(3)The Presiding Officer must, on or before the introduction of a proposed Assembly Measure in the Assembly—

(a)decide whether or not, in the view of the Presiding Officer, the provisions of the proposed Assembly Measure would be within the Assembly's legislative competence, and

(b)state that decision.

(4)A statement under this section must be made in both English and Welsh; but, subject to that, the form of the statement and the manner in which it is to be made are to be determined under the standing orders.

(5)The standing orders—

(a)may provide for a statement under this section to be published, and

(b)if they do so, must provide for it to be published in both English and Welsh.

Commencement Information

I90Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

98 Proceedings on proposed Assembly Measures U.K.

(1)The standing orders must include provision—

(a)for general debate on a proposed Assembly Measure with an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on its general principles,

(b)for the consideration of, and an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on, the details of a proposed Assembly Measure, and

(c)for a final stage at which a proposed Assembly Measure can be passed or rejected.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent the standing orders making provision to enable the Assembly to expedite proceedings in relation to a particular proposed Assembly Measure.

(3)The standing orders may make provision different from that required by subsection (1) for the procedure applicable to proposed Assembly Measures of any of the following kinds—

(a)proposed Assembly Measures which restate the law,

(b)proposed Assembly Measures which repeal or revoke spent enactments, and

(c)private proposed Assembly Measures.

(4)The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a proposed Assembly Measure containing provisions which would, if contained in a Bill for an Act of Parliament, require the consent of Her Majesty or the Duke of Cornwall if such consent has been signified in accordance with the standing orders.

(5)The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a proposed Assembly Measure if the text of the proposed Assembly Measure is in both English and Welsh, unless the circumstances are such as are specified by the standing orders as any in which the text need not be in both languages.

(6)The standing orders must provide for an opportunity for the reconsideration of a proposed Assembly Measure after its passing if (and only if)—

(a)the Supreme Court decides on a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 that the proposed Assembly Measure or any provision of it would not be within the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b)a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 is withdrawn following a request for withdrawal of the reference under section 100(2)(b), or

(c)an order is made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 101.

(7)The standing orders must, in particular, ensure that any proposed Assembly Measure amended on reconsideration is subject to a final stage at which it can be approved or rejected.

(8)References in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section and sections 93(2) and 95(10) to the passing of a proposed Assembly Measure are, in the case of a proposed Assembly Measure which has been amended on reconsideration, to be read as references to its approval.

Commencement Information

I91Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

99 Scrutiny of proposed Assembly Measures by Supreme Court U.K.

(1)The Counsel General or the Attorney General may refer the question whether a proposed Assembly Measure, or any provision of a proposed Assembly Measure, would be within the Assembly's legislative competence to the Supreme Court for decision.

(2)Subject to subsection (3), the Counsel General or the Attorney General may make a reference in relation to a proposed Assembly Measure at any time during—

(a)the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the proposed Assembly Measure, and

(b)any period of four weeks beginning with any subsequent approval of the proposed Assembly Measure in accordance with provision included in the standing orders in compliance with section 98(7).

(3)No reference may be made in relation to a proposed Assembly Measure—

(a)by the Counsel General if the Counsel General has notified the Clerk that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Counsel General, or

(b)by the Attorney General if the Attorney General has notified the Clerk that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Attorney General.

(4)But subsection (3) does not apply if the proposed Assembly Measure has been approved as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) since the notification.

Commencement Information

I92Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

100 ECJ references U.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a reference has been made in relation to a proposed Assembly Measure under section 99,

(b)a reference for a preliminary European Court ruling has been made by the Supreme Court in connection with that reference, and

(c)neither of those references has been decided or otherwise disposed of.

(2)If the Assembly resolves that it wishes to reconsider the proposed Assembly Measure—

(a)the Clerk must notify the Counsel General and the Attorney General of that fact, and

(b)the person who made the reference in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 must request the withdrawal of the reference.

(3) In this section “ a reference for a preliminary European Court ruling ” means a reference of a question to the European Court under Article 234 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, Article 41 of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community or Article 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

Commencement Information

I93Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

101 Power to intervene in certain cases U.K.

(1)This section applies if a proposed Assembly Measure contains provisions which the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe—

(a)would have an adverse effect on any matter which is not specified in Part 1 of Schedule 5 [F77(or falls within any of the exceptions specified in paragraph A1 of Part 2 of that Schedule)],

(b)might have a serious adverse impact on water resources in England, water supply in England or the quality of water in England,

(c)would have an adverse effect on the operation of the law as it applies in England, or

(d)would be incompatible with any international obligation or the interests of defence or national security.

(2)The Secretary of State may make an order prohibiting the Clerk from submitting the proposed Assembly Measure for approval by Her Majesty in Council.

(3)The order must identify the proposed Assembly Measure and the provisions in question and state the reasons for making the order.

(4)The order may be made at any time during—

(a)the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the proposed Assembly Measure,

(b)any period of four weeks beginning with any subsequent approval of the proposed Assembly Measure in accordance with provision included in the standing orders in compliance with section 98(7), or

(c)if a reference is made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99, the period of four weeks beginning with the reference being decided or otherwise disposed of by the Supreme Court.

(5)The Secretary of State must not make an order in relation to a proposed Assembly Measure if the Secretary of State has notified the Clerk that no order is to be made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure.

(6)Subsection (5) does not apply if the proposed Assembly Measure has been approved as mentioned in subsection (4)(b) since the notification.

(7)An order in force under this section at a time when such approval is given ceases to have effect.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I94Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

102 Approval of proposed Assembly Measures U.K.

(1)It is for the Clerk to submit proposed Assembly Measures for approval by Her Majesty in Council.

(2)The Clerk may not submit a proposed Assembly Measure for approval by Her Majesty in Council at any time when—

(a)the Attorney General or the Counsel General is entitled to make a reference in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99,

(b)such a reference has been made but has not been decided or otherwise disposed of by the Supreme Court, or

(c)an order may be made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 101.

(3)The Clerk may not submit a proposed Assembly Measure in its unamended form for approval by Her Majesty in Council if—

(a)the Supreme Court has decided on a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 that the proposed Assembly Measure or any provision of it would not be within the Assembly's legislative competence, or

(b)a reference made in relation to the proposed Assembly Measure under section 99 has been withdrawn following a request for withdrawal of the reference under section 100(2)(b).

(4)Once an Assembly Measure has been approved by Her Majesty in Council, the Clerk of the Privy Council must send the Order in Council approving the Assembly Measure to the Clerk.

(5)The date of the approval by Her Majesty in Council of an Assembly Measure is to be written on the Assembly Measure by the Clerk, and forms part of the Assembly Measure.

(6)The Clerk must publish the Order in Council by which an Assembly Measure is approved.

(7)The standing orders must include provision for the notification by the Clerk to the Assembly of the date of the approval of an Assembly Measure by Her Majesty in Council.

(8)The validity of an Assembly Measure is not affected by any failure to comply with provision made by or by virtue of subsection (4), (5) or (7).]

Commencement Information

I95Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 4U.K.Acts of the Assembly

ReferendumU.K.

103Referendum about commencement of Assembly Act provisionsU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council cause a referendum to be held throughout Wales about whether the Assembly Act provisions should come into force.

(2)If the majority of the voters in a referendum held by virtue of subsection (1) vote in favour of the Assembly Act provisions coming into force, the Assembly Act provisions are to come into force in accordance with section 105.

(3)But if they do not, that does not prevent the making of a subsequent Order in Council under subsection (1).

(4)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under subsection (1) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament and the Assembly.

(5)But subsection (4) is not satisfied unless the resolution of the Assembly is passed on a vote in which the number of Assembly members voting in favour of it is not less than two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

(6)A draft of a statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under subsection (1) may not be laid before either House of Parliament, or the Assembly, until the Secretary of State has undertaken such consultation as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(7)For further provision about referendums held by virtue of subsection (1) see Schedule 6.

(8)In this Act “the Assembly Act provisions” means—

(a)sections 107 and 108, and

(b)sections 110 to 115.

Commencement Information

I96Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

104Proposal for referendum by AssemblyU.K.

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the Assembly passes a resolution moved by the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 that, in its opinion, a recommendation should be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under section 103(1), and

(b)the resolution of the Assembly is passed on a vote in which the number of Assembly members voting in favour of it is not less than two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

(2)The First Minister must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the resolution is passed, ensure that notice in writing of the resolution is given to the Secretary of State.

(3)The Secretary of State must, within the period of 120 days beginning immediately after the day on which it is received—

(a)lay a draft of a statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under section 103(1) before each House of Parliament, or

(b)give notice in writing to the First Minister of the Secretary of State's refusal to do so and the reasons for that refusal.

(4)As soon as is reasonably practicable after the First Minister receives notice given under subsection (3)(b)—

(a)the First Minister must lay a copy of the notice before the Assembly, and

(b)the Assembly must ensure that the notice is published.

Commencement Information

I97Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

105Commencement of Assembly Act provisionsU.K.

(1)This section applies where the majority of the voters in a referendum held by virtue of section 103(1) are in favour of the Assembly Act provisions coming into force.

(2)The Welsh Ministers may by order make provision for the Assembly Act provisions to come into force on the date specified in the order.

(3)An order under subsection (2) may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate in connection with the coming into force of the Assembly Act provisions.

(4)No order is to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I98Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

106Effect on Measures of commencement of Assembly Act provisionsU.K.

(1)Part 3 ceases to have effect on the day on which the Assembly Act provisions come into force.

[F78(2)But that does not affect—

(a)the continuing operation, on and after that day, of any Assembly Measure enacted before that day, or

(b)the continuing operation, after the enactment of the Measure, of any Assembly Measure enacted in accordance with section 106A.

(c)Subsection (1) is subject to section 106A.

(3)Subsection (1) is subject to section 106A.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I99Ss. 1-94, 97-106 in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F79106AEnactment of proposed Assembly MeasuresU.K.

(1)This section applies if, immediately before the coming into force of the Assembly Act provisions, one or more proposed Assembly Measures have been passed by the Assembly but have not been approved by Her Majesty in Council (“the proposed Measures”).

(2)Part 3 continues to have effect, for the purposes of enabling the proposed Measures to be enacted, until an Order in Council in respect of every such Measure has been published by the Clerk in accordance with section 102(6).]

PowerU.K.

107Acts of the AssemblyU.K.

(1)The Assembly may make laws, to be known as Acts of the National Assembly for Wales or Deddfau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru (referred to in this Act as “Acts of the Assembly”).

(2)Proposed Acts of the Assembly are to be known as Bills; and a Bill becomes an Act of the Assembly when it has been passed by the Assembly and has received Royal Assent.

(3)The validity of an Act of the Assembly is not affected by any invalidity in the Assembly proceedings leading to its enactment.

(4)Every Act of the Assembly is to be judicially noticed.

(5)This Part does not affect the power of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to make laws for Wales.

[F80(6)But it is recognised that the Parliament of the United Kingdom will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent of the Assembly.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I100S. 107 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

108 Legislative competenceU.K.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part, an Act of the Assembly may make any provision that could be made by an Act of Parliament.

(2)An Act of the Assembly is not law so far as any provision of the Act is outside the Assembly's legislative competence.

(3)A provision of an Act of the Assembly is within the Assembly's legislative competence only if it falls within subsection (4) or (5).

(4)A provision of an Act of the Assembly falls within this subsection if—

(a)it relates to one or more of the subjects listed under any of the headings in Part 1 of Schedule 7 and [F81, subject to subsection (4A),] does not fall within any of the exceptions specified in that Part of that Schedule (whether or not under that heading or any of those headings), and

(b)it neither applies otherwise than in relation to Wales nor confers, imposes, modifies or removes (or gives power to confer, impose, modify or remove) functions exercisable otherwise than in relation to Wales.

[F82(4A)Provision relating to a devolved tax (as listed under the heading “Taxation” in Part 1 of Schedule 7) is not outside the Assembly's legislative competence by reason only of the fact that it falls within an exception specified under another heading in that Part of that Schedule.]

(5)A provision of an Act of the Assembly falls within this subsection if—

(a)it provides for the enforcement of a provision (of that or any other Act of the Assembly) which falls within subsection (4) or a provision of an Assembly Measure or it is otherwise appropriate for making such a provision effective, or

(b)it is otherwise incidental to, or consequential on, such a provision.

(6)But a provision which falls within subsection (4) or (5) is outside the Assembly's legislative competence if—

(a)it breaches any of the restrictions in Part 2 of Schedule 7, having regard to any exception in Part 3 of that Schedule from those restrictions,

(b)it extends otherwise than only to England and Wales, or

(c)it is incompatible with the Convention rights or with [F83EU] law.

(7)For the purposes of this section the question whether a provision of an Act of the Assembly relates to one or more of the subjects listed in Part 1 of Schedule 7 (or falls within any of the exceptions specified in that Part of that Schedule) is to be determined by reference to the purpose of the provision, having regard (among other things) to its effect in all the circumstances.

Textual Amendments

F81Words in s. 108(4)(a) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(3)(a), 29(2)(b)(3)

F82S. 108(4A) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(3)(b), 29(2)(b)(3)

Commencement Information

I101S. 108 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

109Legislative competence: supplementaryU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council amend Schedule 7.

(2)An Order in Council under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order in Council.

(3)An Order in Council under this section may make provision having retrospective effect.

(4)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council—

(a)has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament, and

(b)except where the Order in Council is the first of which a draft has been laid under paragraph (a), has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(5)The amendment of Schedule 7 by an Order in Council under this section does not affect—

(a)the validity of an Act of the Assembly passed before the amendment comes into force, or

(b)the previous or continuing operation of such an Act of the Assembly.

ProcedureU.K.

110Introduction of BillsU.K.

(1)A Bill may, subject to the standing orders, be introduced in the Assembly—

(a)by the First Minister, any Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 any Deputy Welsh Minister or the Counsel General, or

(b)by any other Assembly member.

(2)The person in charge of a Bill must, on or before the introduction of the Bill, state that, in that person's view, its provisions would be within the Assembly's legislative competence.

(3)The Presiding Officer must, on or before the introduction of a Bill in the Assembly—

(a)decide whether or not, in the view of the Presiding Officer, the provisions of the Bill would be within the Assembly's legislative competence, and

(b)state that decision.

(4)A statement under this section must be made in both English and Welsh; but, subject to that, the form of the statement and the manner in which it is to be made are to be determined under the standing orders.

(5)The standing orders—

(a)may provide for a statement under this section to be published, and

(b)if they do so, must provide for it to be published in both English and Welsh.

Commencement Information

I102S. 110 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

111Proceedings on BillsU.K.

(1)The standing orders must include provision—

(a)for general debate on a Bill with an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on its general principles,

(b)for the consideration of, and an opportunity for Assembly members to vote on, the details of a Bill, and

(c)for a final stage at which a Bill can be passed or rejected.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent the standing orders making provision to enable the Assembly to expedite proceedings in relation to a particular Bill.

(3)The standing orders may make provision different from that required by subsection (1) for the procedure applicable to Bills of any of the following kinds—

(a)Bills which restate the law,

(b)Bills which repeal or revoke spent enactments, and

(c)private Bills.

(4)The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a Bill containing provisions which would, if contained in a Bill for an Act of Parliament, require the consent of Her Majesty or the Duke of Cornwall if such consent has been signified in accordance with the standing orders.

(5)The standing orders must include provision for securing that the Assembly may only pass a Bill if the text of the Bill is in both English and Welsh, unless the circumstances are such as are specified by the standing orders as any in which the text need not be in both languages.

(6)The standing orders must provide for an opportunity for the reconsideration of a Bill after its passing if (and only if)—

[F84(za)the Supreme Court decides on a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 111B(2)(b) (reference following Presiding Officer's decision that Bill does not contain protected subject-matter) that any provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter,]

(a)the Supreme Court decides on a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 112 that the Bill or any provision of it would not be within the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b)a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 112 is withdrawn following a request for withdrawal of the reference under section 113(2)(b), or

(c)an order is made in relation to the Bill under section 114.

[F85(6A)The standing orders must provide for an opportunity for the reconsideration of a Bill after its rejection if (and only if), on a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 111B(2)(a) (reference following Presiding Officer's decision that Bill contains protected subject-matter), the Supreme Court decides that no provision that is subject to the reference relates to a protected subject-matter.]

[F86(7)The standing orders must, in particular, ensure that any Bill amended on reconsideration is subject to a final stage at which it can be approved or rejected.]

[F86(7)The standing orders must, in particular, ensure that—

(a)any Bill amended on reconsideration in accordance with standing orders made by virtue of subsection (6)(a), (b) or (c), and

(b)any Bill reconsidered in accordance with standing orders made by virtue of subsection (6)(za) or (6A),

is subject to a final stage at which it can be approved or rejected.]

(8)References in subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section and sections 107(2), 109(5) [F87, 111A(3) and (4), 111B(2)(b)] [F88, 116(3) and 116C (4)] to the passing of a Bill are, in the case of a Bill [F89which has been amended on reconsideration] [F89to which subsection (7)(a) or (b) applies], to be read as references to its approval.

Textual Amendments

F84S. 111(6)(za) inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(2), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F85S. 111(6A) inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(3), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F86S. 111(7) substituted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(4), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F87Words in s. 111(8) inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(5)(a), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F88Words in s. 111(8) substituted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(4), 29(2)(b)(3)

F89Words in s. 111(8) substituted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(5)(b), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

Commencement Information

I103S. 111 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

[F90111ABills with protected subject-matter: super-majority requirementU.K.

(1)For the purposes of this Part a provision of a Bill relates to a protected subject-matter if it would modify, or confer power to modify, any of the matters listed in subsection (2) (but not if the provision is incidental to or consequential on another provision of the Bill).

(2)The matters are—

(a)the name of the Assembly,

(b)the persons entitled to vote as electors at an election for membership of the Assembly,

(c)the system by which members of the Assembly are returned,

(d)the specification or number of constituencies, regions or any equivalent electoral area,

(e)the number of members to be returned for each constituency, region or equivalent electoral area, and

(f)the number of persons who may hold the office of Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 or the office of Deputy Welsh Minister.

(3)The Presiding Officer must, after the last time when a Bill may be amended but before the decision whether to pass or reject it—

(a)decide whether or not, in the view of the Presiding Officer, any provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, and

(b)state that decision.

(4)If the Presiding Officer decides that any provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, the Bill is not passed unless the number of Assembly members voting in favour of it at the final stage is at least two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

Textual Amendments

F90Ss. 111A, 111B inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 9, 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

111BScrutiny of Bills by the Supreme Court (protected subject-matter)U.K.

(1)The Counsel General or the Attorney General may refer the question whether any provision of a Bill relates to a protected subject-matter to the Supreme Court for decision.

(2)Subject to subsection (3), the Counsel General or the Attorney General may make a reference in relation to a Bill—

(a)at any time during the period of four weeks beginning with the rejection of the Bill, if the Presiding Officer has decided under section 111A(3) that a provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, or

(b)at any time during the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the Bill, if the Presiding Officer has decided under section 111A(3) that no provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter, unless the number of Assembly members voting in favour of the Bill at its passing is at least two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

(3)No reference may be made in relation to a Bill—

(a)by the Counsel General if the Counsel General has notified the Presiding Officer that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Counsel General, or

(b)by the Attorney General if the Attorney General has notified the Presiding Officer that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Attorney General.

(4)But subsection (3) does not apply if the Bill has, since the notification, been approved or rejected in accordance with standing orders made by virtue of section 111(7).]

Textual Amendments

F90Ss. 111A, 111B inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 9, 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

112Scrutiny of Bills by Supreme Court [F91(legislative competence)] U.K.

(1)The Counsel General or the Attorney General may refer the question whether a Bill, or any provision of a Bill, would be within the Assembly's legislative competence to the Supreme Court for decision.

(2)Subject to subsection (3), the Counsel General or the Attorney General may make a reference in relation to a Bill at any time during—

(a)the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the Bill, and

(b)any period of four weeks beginning with any [F92subsequent] approval of the Bill in accordance with provision included in the standing orders in compliance with section 111(7).

(3)No reference may be made in relation to a Bill—

(a)by the Counsel General if the Counsel General has notified the Clerk that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Counsel General, or

(b)by the Attorney General if the Attorney General has notified the Clerk that no reference is to be made in relation to it by the Attorney General.

(4)But subsection (3) does not apply if the Bill has been approved as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) since the notification.

Textual Amendments

F91Words in s. 112 heading inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(6)(a), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F92Word in s. 112(2)(b) omitted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(6)(b), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

Commencement Information

I104S. 112 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

113ECJ referencesU.K.

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a reference has been made in relation to a Bill under section 112,

(b)a reference for a preliminary European Court ruling has been made by the Supreme Court in connection with that reference, and

(c)neither of those references has been decided or otherwise disposed of.

(2)If the Assembly resolves that it wishes to reconsider the Bill—

(a)the Clerk must notify the Counsel General and the Attorney General of that fact, and

(b)the person who made the reference in relation to the Bill under section 112 must request the withdrawal of the reference.

(3)In this section “a reference for a preliminary European Court ruling” means a reference of a question to the European Court under [F93Article 267 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union] or Article 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I105S. 113 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

114Power to intervene in certain casesU.K.

(1)This section applies if a Bill contains provisions which the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds to believe—

(a)would have an adverse effect on any matter which is not listed under any of the headings in Part 1 of Schedule 7 (or falls within any of the exceptions specified in that Part of that Schedule),

(b)might have a serious adverse impact on water resources in England, water supply in England or the quality of water in England,

(c)would have an adverse effect on the operation of the law as it applies in England, or

(d)would be incompatible with any international obligation or the interests of defence or national security.

(2)The Secretary of State may make an order prohibiting the Clerk from submitting the Bill for Royal Assent.

(3)The order must identify the Bill and the provisions in question and state the reasons for making the order.

(4)The order may be made at any time during—

(a)the period of four weeks beginning with the passing of the Bill,

(b)any period of four weeks beginning with any [F94subsequent] approval of the Bill in accordance with provision included in the standing orders in compliance with section 111(7), or

(c)if a reference is made in relation to the Bill under section [F95111B or] 112, the period of four weeks beginning with the reference being decided or otherwise disposed of by the Supreme Court.

(5)The Secretary of State must not make an order in relation to a Bill if the Secretary of State has notified the Clerk that no order is to be made in relation to the Bill.

(6)Subsection (5) does not apply if the Bill has been approved as mentioned in subsection (4)(b) since the notification.

(7)An order in force under this section at a time when such approval is given ceases to have effect.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F94Word in s. 114(4)(b) omitted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(7)(a), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F95Words in s. 114(4)(c) inserted (31.3.2017 for specified purposes) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 10(7)(b), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

Commencement Information

I106S. 114 in force at 5.5.2011 by S.I. 2011/1011, art. 3

115Royal AssentU.K.

(1)It is for the Clerk to submit Bills for Royal Assent.

(2)The Clerk may not submit a Bill for Royal Assent at any time when—

(a)the Attorney General or the Counsel General is entitled to make a reference in relation to the Bill under section [F96111B or] 112,

(b)such a reference has been made but has not been decided or otherwise disposed of by the Supreme Court, or

(c)an order may be made in relation to the Bill under section 114.

(3)The Clerk may not submit a Bill in its unamended form for Royal Assent if—

(a)the Supreme Court has decided on a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 112 that the Bill or any provision of it would not be within the Assembly's legislative competence, or

(b)a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 112 has been withdrawn following a request for withdrawal of the reference under section 113(2)(b).

[F97(3A)The Presiding Officer may not submit a Bill for Royal Assent if the Supreme Court has decided on a reference made in relation to the Bill under section 111B(2)(b) (reference following Presiding Officer's decision that Bill does not contain protected subject-matter) that any provision of the Bill relates to a protected subject-matter unless, since the decision, the Bill has been approved in accordance with standing orders made by virtue of section 111(7).]

(4)A Bill receives Royal Assent when Letters Patent under the Welsh Seal signed with Her Majesty's own hand signifying Her Assent are notified to the Clerk.

[F98(4A) The Keeper of the Welsh Seal ( see section 116(2)) must make arrangements to send the Letters Patent to the National Library of Wales. ]

(5)The date of Royal Assent is to be written on the Act of the Assembly by the Clerk, and forms part of the Act.

[F99(5A) On the copy of the Act of the Assembly on which the Clerk writes the date of Royal Assent the Clerk must write—

(a)the calendar year, and

(b)any prefix and number which has been assigned to that Act of the Assembly.

(5B) The information written on the Act of the Assembly in pursuance of subsection (5A) forms part of the Act .

(5C) The copy of the Act of the Assembly on which the date of Royal Assent and the information in subsection (5A) is written is to be known as the official print of the Act .

(5D)The Clerk must make a copy of the official print and certify it as a true copy.

(5E)The Clerk must send the certified copy to the Queen’s Printer and the official print to the National Library of Wales.

(5F)The National Library of Wales must ensure that the official prints and Letters Patent it receives are preserved and open to public inspection at all reasonable times.]

(6)The standing orders must include provision for notification by the Clerk to the Assembly of the date of Royal Assent to an Act of the Assembly.

(7)The validity of an Act of the Assembly is not affected by any failure to comply with provision made by or by virtue of subsection (4), (5) or (6).

116Welsh Seal and Letters PatentU.K.

(1)There is to be a Welsh Seal.

(2)The First Minister is to be the Keeper of the Welsh Seal.

(3)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision as to—

(a)the form and manner of preparation, and

(b)the publication,

of Letters Patent signed with Her Majesty's own hand signifying Her Assent to a Bill passed by the Assembly.

(4)A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I108This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F100PART 4AU.K.Taxation

Textual Amendments

F100Pt. 4A inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(2), 29(2)(b)(3)

CHAPTER 1U.K.Introductory

116AOverview of Part 4AU.K.

(1)In this Part Chapters 3 and 4 specify particular taxes as devolved taxes about which the Assembly may make provision in the exercise of the power conferred by section 107(1).

(2)The power to make provision about a devolved tax is subject to the restrictions imposed by—

(a)subsection (3), and

(b)the other provisions of this Part.

(3)A devolved tax may not be imposed where to do so would be incompatible with any international obligations.

(4) In this Act “ devolved tax ” means a tax specified in this Part as a devolved tax.

116BStatus of officials of body that collects and manages devolved taxesU.K.

(1)This section applies where an Act of the Assembly establishes a body that is to be responsible for the collection and management of devolved taxes (whether or not the body is also to be responsible for local government finance or any other matter).

(2) In this section “ relevant official ” means an officer or member of staff of the body mentioned in subsection (1) who has no functions other than functions relating to—

(a)the collection or management of devolved taxes, or

(b)local government finance.

(3)If an Act of the Assembly provides that service as a relevant official is service in the civil service of the State, that provision is treated as falling within section 108(4) or (5) (legislative competence).

(4) In subsections (5) to (7), “ relevant civil servant ” means a relevant official whose service is service in the civil service of the State by virtue of provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (3).

(5)The Welsh Ministers must pay the salaries and expenses of relevant civil servants.

(6)The Welsh Ministers must make payments to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as the Minister for the Civil Service may determine, of such amounts as may be so determined in respect of—

(a)the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities by virtue of section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972 or section 1 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 to or in respect of persons who are or have been relevant civil servants, and

(b)the expenses incurred in administering those pensions, allowances and gratuities.

(7)The Welsh Ministers may make payments towards the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of any person who is or has been a relevant civil servant.

116CPower to add new devolved taxesU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council amend this Part so as to—

(a)specify, as an additional devolved tax, a tax of any description, or

(b)make any other modifications of the provisions relating to devolved taxes which She considers appropriate.

(2)An Order in Council under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order.

(3)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament and the Assembly.

(4)The amendment of this Part by an Order in Council under this section does not affect—

(a)the validity of an Act of the Assembly passed before the amendment comes into force, or

(b)the previous or continuing operation of such an Act of the Assembly.]

[F101CHAPTER 3U.K.Tax on transactions involving interests in land

Textual Amendments

F101Pt. 4A Ch. 3 inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 15(1), 29(2)(b)(3) (with s. 15(2))

116LTax on transactions involving interests in landU.K.

(1)A tax which is charged on a Welsh land transaction and complies with the requirements of this section is a devolved tax.

(2) In this Chapter a “ Welsh land transaction ” means an acquisition of—

(a)an estate, interest, right or power in or over land in Wales;

(b)the benefit of an obligation, restriction or condition affecting the value of any such estate, interest, right or power.

(3)The tax may be chargeable—

(a)whether or not there is any instrument effecting the transaction,

(b)if there is such an instrument, regardless of where it is executed, and

(c)regardless of where any party to the transaction is or is resident.

(4)The tax may not be imposed on so much of a Welsh land transaction as relates to land below mean low water mark.

(5)The following persons are not to be liable to pay the tax—

  • Government

    • A Minister of the Crown

    • The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General

    • The Scottish Ministers

    • A Northern Ireland department

  • Parliament etc

    • The Corporate Officer of the House of Lords

    • The Corporate Officer of the House of Commons

    • The Assembly Commission

    • The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

    • The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission.

116M Duty to disclose information on Welsh land transactions to HMRC U.K.

(1) A person who is a member of the Welsh Government must provide to HMRC such of the information falling within subsection (2) as HMRC may require.

(2)Information falls within this subsection if it—

(a)is relevant information in relation to a Welsh land transaction, and

(b)is in the possession or under the control of the person.

(3)Relevant information ”, in relation to a Welsh land transaction, means information which—

(a)corresponds to any of the particulars which would be required under Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 1931, but for section 28(3)(c) of that Act, or

(b)uniquely identifies, or assists in uniquely identifying, any person who gives consideration for, or is a party to, the transaction.

(4) Information is to be provided under subsection (1) in such form as HMRC may reasonably specify.

(5) Information acquired by HMRC under this section is to be treated, for the purposes of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, as acquired in connection with a function of theirs.

(6) In this section, “ HMRC ” means Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. ]

[F102CHAPTER 4U.K.Tax on disposals to landfill

Textual Amendments

F102Pt. 4A Ch. 4 inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 18(1), 29(2)(b)(3)

116NTax on disposals to landfillU.K.

(1)A tax charged on disposals to landfill made in Wales is a devolved tax.

(2)A disposal is a disposal to landfill if—

(a)it is a disposal of material as waste, and

(b)it is made by way of landfill.]

Part 5U.K.Finance

Welsh Consolidated FundU.K.

117Welsh Consolidated FundU.K.

(1)There is to be a Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(2)The Welsh Consolidated Fund is to be held with the Paymaster General.

Payments into Welsh Consolidated FundU.K.

118GrantsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must from time to time make payments into the Welsh Consolidated Fund out of money provided by Parliament of such amounts as the Secretary of State may determine.

(2)Any Minister of the Crown, and any government department, may make payments to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of such amounts as may be determined by the Minister of the Crown or those responsible in the department.

119Statement of estimated paymentsU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must, for each financial year, make a written statement showing—

(a)the total amount of the payments which the Secretary of State estimates will be made for the financial year under section 118(1),

(b)the total amount of the payments which the Secretary of State estimates will be made to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General for the financial year by Ministers of the Crown and government departments, and

(c)the total amount of the payments which the Secretary of State estimates will be made to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General for the financial year otherwise than by a Minister of the Crown or government department.

(2)A statement under this section must also include such other information as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3)A statement under this section for any financial year must also show the total amount which the Secretary of State for Wales proposes to expend for the financial year out of money provided by Parliament otherwise than on making payments into the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(4)A statement under this section for a financial year must include details of how the total amounts mentioned in subsections (1)(a), (b) and (c) and (3) have been arrived at.

(5)A statement under this section for a financial year is to be made no later than four months before the beginning of the financial year.

(6)The Secretary of State must lay before the Assembly each statement under this section.

120Destination of receiptsU.K.

(1)Any sum received by or on behalf of—

(a)the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

(b)the Assembly Commission,

(c)[F103the Wales Audit Office], or

(d)the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales,

is to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund (unless it is paid out of that Fund, and subject as follows); and this subsection applies in spite of provision contained in any other enactment unless the enactment provides expressly that any such sum is not to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(2)If and to the extent that sums received as mentioned in subsection (1) are received in connection with resources—

(a)which are within a category specified by resolution of the Assembly for the purposes of this subsection,

(b)which accrued to a person within subsection (1), and

(c)the retention of which by that person is authorised by a Budget resolution of the Assembly for the financial year in which the resources accrued,

the sums may be retained for use for the services and purposes specified in a Budget resolution of the Assembly for the financial year in which they are received as services and purposes for which retained resources may be used.

(3)The Treasury may, after consulting the Welsh Ministers, by order designate any description of sums received as mentioned in subsection (1).

(4)The Welsh Ministers must make payments to the Secretary of State of sums equal to the total amount of sums of that description.

(5)Payments by the Welsh Ministers under subsection (4) are to be made at such times, and by such methods, as the Treasury may from time to time determine.

(6)Sums required for the making of the payments are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

(8)In this Act “Budget resolution of the Assembly” means a resolution on an annual Budget motion (see section 125) or a supplementary Budget motion (see section 126).

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I109S. 120(3)(7) in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5)); s. 120(1)(2)(4)-(6)(8) in force at 1.4.2007, see s. 161(3)

BorrowingU.K.

121Borrowing by Welsh MinistersU.K.

[F104(1)The Welsh Ministers may borrow from the Secretary of State—

(a)any amounts it appears to them are required by them for the purpose of meeting a temporary excess of sums paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund over sums paid into that Fund,

(b)any amounts it appears to them are required by them for the purpose of providing a working balance in the Welsh Consolidated Fund, and

(c)any amounts which in accordance with rules determined by the Treasury are required by the Welsh Ministers to meet current expenditure because of a shortfall in receipts from devolved taxes, or from income tax charged by virtue of a Welsh rate resolution, against forecast receipts.

(1A)The Welsh Ministers may, with the approval of the Treasury, borrow by way of loan any amounts it appears to them are required by them for the purpose of meeting capital expenditure.

(1B)An amount is required for the purpose of meeting capital expenditure if the expenditure would be capital expenditure for the purposes of accounts under section 131.]

(2)Amounts borrowed under this section [F105from the Secretary of State] must be repaid to the Secretary of State at such times and by such methods, and interest on such sums must be paid to the Secretary of State at such rates and at such times, as the Treasury may from time to time determine.

(3)Sums required for the repayment of, or the payment of interest on, amounts borrowed under this section are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

[F106(4)The Secretary of State may by order made with the consent of the Treasury amend subsection (1A) so as to vary the means by which the Welsh Ministers may borrow money.

(5)No order is to be made under subsection (4) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons.]

Textual Amendments

F104S. 121(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 121(1) (1.1.2017) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(3), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

F105Words in s. 121(2) inserted (1.1.2017) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(4), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

F106S. 121(4)(5) inserted (1.1.2017) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(5), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

122Lending by Secretary of StateU.K.

(1)The Treasury may issue to the Secretary of State out of the National Loans Fund such sums as the Secretary of State needs for making loans under section 121.

(2)The aggregate outstanding in respect of the principal of sums borrowed under [F107section 121(1)] must not exceed £500 million.

(3)The Secretary of State may by order made with the consent of the Treasury substitute for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (2) such F108... amount as is specified in the order.

[F109(3A)An amount substituted under subsection (3) may be more or less than the amount for which it is substituted but may not be less than £500 million.]

(4)No order is to be made under subsection (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons.

(5)Sums received by the Secretary of State under section 121(2) must be paid into the National Loans Fund.

Textual Amendments

F107Words in s. 122(2) substituted (1.1.2017) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(7), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

F108Word in s. 122(3) omitted (1.1.2017) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(8), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

F109S. 122(3A) inserted (1.1.2017) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 20(9), 29(5)(a); S.I. 2016/1264, art. 2

[F110122ALending for capital expenditureU.K.

(1)The aggregate at any time outstanding in respect of the principal of amounts borrowed under section 121(1A) shall not exceed [F111£1,000 million] .

(2)The Secretary of State may by order made with the consent of the Treasury substitute for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (1) such amount as may be specified in the order.

(3)An amount substituted under subsection (2) may be more or less than the amount for which it is substituted but may not be less than [F112£1,000 million] .

(4)No order is to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the House of Commons.

(5)A person lending money to a member of the Welsh Government—

(a)is not bound to enquire whether the member of the Welsh Government has power to borrow the money, and

(b)is not to be prejudiced by the absence of any such power.

(6)The Welsh Ministers may not mortgage or charge any of their property as security for money which they have borrowed under section 121(1A).

This is subject to section 121(3) (charging of sums on the Welsh Consolidated Fund).

(7)Security given in breach of subsection (6) is unenforceable.]

Textual Amendments

F111Words in s. 122A(1) substituted (31.3.2017) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 18, 71(2)(d) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F112Words in s. 122A(3) substituted (31.3.2017) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 18, 71(2)(d) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

123Accounts relating to loansU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must for each financial year prepare accounts in such form and manner as the Treasury may direct of—

(a)loans made by the Secretary of State under section 121 or treated as made by paragraph 11(6) of Schedule 3 or paragraph 44(6) of Schedule 11, and

(b)repayments and payments of interest made to the Secretary of State in respect of those loans.

(2)The Secretary of State must send accounts under subsection (1) relating to a financial year to the Comptroller and Auditor General no later than five months after the end of the financial year.

(3)The Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a)examine, certify and report on accounts sent under subsection (2), and

(b)lay copies of the accounts, together with the report prepared under paragraph (a), before each House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I110This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

ExpenditureU.K.

124Payments out of Welsh Consolidated FundU.K.

(1)A sum may only be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund if—

(a)it has been charged on that Fund by any enactment, or

(b)its payment out is authorised or deemed to be authorised by a Budget resolution of the Assembly (see sections 125 to 128) for or in connection with either of the purposes mentioned in subsection (2),

and an approval to draw the payment of the sum out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund is granted by the Auditor General (see section 129).

(2)Those purposes are—

(a)meeting expenditure of a relevant person, and

(b)meeting expenditure payable pursuant to a relevant enactment.

(3)For the purposes of this section and sections 125 to 128 the relevant persons are—

(a)the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister and the Counsel General,

(b)the Assembly Commission,

(c)[F113the Auditor General][F113the Wales Audit Office], and

(d)the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

(4)For the purposes of this section and sections 125 to 128 a relevant enactment is an enactment which provides for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(5)This section does not apply to sums paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund by virtue of section 130.

(6)Any enactment which—

(a)charges the payment of sums on the Consolidated Fund or requires or authorises the payment of any sum from the Consolidated Fund, or

(b)requires or authorises the payment of sums out of money provided by Parliament,

does not have effect if the sums are payable by any of the relevant persons.

Textual Amendments

125Annual Budget motionsU.K.

(1)For each financial year there is to be moved in the Assembly a motion (referred to in this Act as an “annual Budget motion”) for the purpose of authorising—

(a)the amount of resources which may be used in the financial year by the relevant persons, or pursuant to a relevant enactment, for the services and purposes specified in the motion,

(b)the amount of resources accruing to the relevant persons in the financial year which may be retained by them to be used for the services and purposes so specified (rather than being paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund), and

(c)the amount which may be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in the financial year to the relevant persons, or for use pursuant to a relevant enactment, for the services and purposes so specified.

(2)An annual Budget motion may only be moved by the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48.

(3)An annual Budget motion must be accompanied by a written statement made by the Welsh Ministers showing—

(a)the total amount of the payments which they estimate will be made for the financial year under section 118(1),

(b)the total amount of the payments which they estimate will be made to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General for the financial year by Ministers of the Crown and government departments, and

(c)the total amount of the payments which they estimate will be made to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General for the financial year otherwise than by a Minister of the Crown or government department.

(4)In this Act a reference to the use of resources is a reference to their expenditure, consumption or reduction in value.

126Supplementary Budget motionsU.K.

(1)For any financial year there may be moved in the Assembly one or more motions (referred to in this Act as a “supplementary Budget motion”) for either or both of the purposes specified in subsections (2) and (3).

(2)A supplementary Budget motion may approve a variation in any one or more of the following—

(a)the amount of resources authorised to be used in the financial year by a relevant person, or pursuant to a relevant enactment, for any service or purpose,

(b)the amount of resources accruing to a relevant person in the financial year and authorised to be retained by that person to be used for any service or purpose, and

(c)the amount authorised to be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in the financial year to a relevant person, or for use pursuant to a relevant enactment, for any service or purpose.

(3)A supplementary Budget motion may authorise any one or more of the following—

(a)the amount of resources which may be used in the financial year by a relevant person, or pursuant to a relevant enactment, for a service or purpose specified in the motion,

(b)the amount of resources accruing to a relevant person in the financial year which may be retained by that person to be used for a service or purpose so specified, and

(c)the amount which may be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in the financial year to a relevant person, or for use pursuant to a relevant enactment, for a service or purpose so specified.

(4)A supplementary Budget motion for any financial year may be expressed to have effect from a time before it is made; but that time may not be earlier than—

(a)the date on which the last supplementary Budget motion for the financial year was passed, or

(b)(if none has) the date on which the annual Budget motion for the financial year was passed.

(5)A supplementary Budget motion may only be moved by the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48.

[F114126AInclusion in Budget motions of resources used by designated bodiesU.K.

(1)A Budget motion for a financial year may include information relating to resources expected to be used by any body that is a designated body in relation to a relevant person.

(2)For the purposes of this section a body is a “designated” body in relation to a relevant person if—

(a)it is designated in relation to the relevant person by an order made by the Welsh Ministers, or

(b)it falls within a description of body designated in relation to the relevant person by such an order.

(3)A body, or a description of body, may be designated in relation to a relevant person for a particular financial year or generally.

(4)If the Welsh Ministers expect the use of resources by a body in a financial year to involve payments out of a relevant Consolidated Fund to or for the benefit of the body, they may not make an order under which the body would be a designated body for the year unless the Treasury have consented to the making of the order.

(5)A relevant Consolidated Fund ” means—

(a)the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom,

(b)the Scottish Consolidated Fund, or

(c)the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.

(6)The Welsh Ministers must, where they think it appropriate, consult the Treasury before designating a body or a description of body.

(7)In determining for any purpose whether a body has a particular relationship with a relevant person (for example, whether it is controlled by, or otherwise dependent on, the person), the following must be disregarded—

(a)the fact that the provisions of a Budget motion relating to the relevant person in respect of a financial year include information relating to the body, and

(b)the fact that the relevant person's accounts for a financial year prepared under this or any other Act include information relating to the body.

(8)An order under subsection (2) is to be made by statutory instrument.

(9)A statutory instrument containing an order under that subsection is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

(10)But subsection (9) does not apply if a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.]

127Appropriation without Budget resolutionU.K.

(1)If a Budget resolution for a financial year is not passed before the beginning of the financial year, the following are deemed to have been authorised by a Budget resolution of the Assembly for that year—

(a)the use in the year for any service or purpose of the relevant percentage of the amount of the resources authorised to be used in the preceding financial year for the service or purpose,

(b)the retention in the year for use for any service or purpose of the relevant percentage of the amount of the resources authorised to be retained in the previous financial year for use for the service or purpose, and

(c)the payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in the year for any service or purpose of the relevant percentage of the amount authorised to be paid out of the Fund in the previous financial year for the service or purpose.

(2)“The relevant percentage” is—

(a)where a Budget resolution for the financial year is not passed before the end of July in the financial year, 95%, and

(b)otherwise, 75%.

Commencement Information

I111This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

128ContingenciesU.K.

(1)This section applies where it is proposed—

(a)that resources be used in any financial year by any of the relevant persons, or pursuant to a relevant enactment, otherwise than as authorised by virtue of sections 125 to 127, or

(b)that amounts be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in the year to the relevant persons, or for use pursuant to a relevant enactment, otherwise than as authorised by virtue of those sections.

(2)The resources may be so used, or the amounts may be so issued, only with the authority of the Welsh Ministers.

(3)The Welsh Ministers may authorise the use of resources, or the payment of amounts, only if they consider that—

(a)the use of the resources, or the payment of the amounts, is necessary in the public interest, and

(b)it is not reasonably practicable, for reasons of urgency, for a motion to be moved under section 125 or 126 to authorise the use of the resources or the payment of the amounts.

(4)The aggregate amount of resources which the Welsh Ministers may at any time authorise to be used under this section by any person, or pursuant to any enactment, in any financial year must not exceed 0.5% of—

(a)the aggregate amount of the resources which, at the time, have been authorised by virtue of sections 125 and 126 to be used by that person, or pursuant to that enactment, in that financial year, or

(b)(if none have) the aggregate amount of the resources which were so authorised to be used by that person, or pursuant to that enactment, in the immediately preceding financial year.

(5)The aggregate amount which the Welsh Ministers may at any time authorise to be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund under this section to any person, or for use pursuant to any enactment, in any financial year must not exceed 0.5% of—

(a)the aggregate of the amounts which, at the time, have been authorised by virtue of sections 125 and 126 to be paid to that person, or for use pursuant to that enactment, in that financial year, or

(b)(if none have) the aggregate of the amounts which were so authorised to be paid to that person, or for use pursuant to that enactment, in the immediately preceding financial year.

(6)The use of resources, or the payment of amounts, authorised by the Welsh Ministers in accordance with this section is deemed to have been authorised by a Budget resolution of the Assembly.

(7)Where the Welsh Ministers authorise the use of resources or the payment of amounts under this section, they must, as soon as possible, lay before the Assembly a report setting out—

(a)the resources authorised to be used or the amounts authorised to be paid,

(b)the services or purposes for which the resources were authorised to be used, or the amounts were authorised to be paid, and

(c)why they considered it to be necessary to authorise the use of the resources, or the payment of the amounts, under this section.

129Approvals to drawU.K.

(1)The Auditor General must grant approvals to draw payments out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund from time to time at the request of the Welsh Ministers.

(2)An approval to draw may only be granted if, in the Auditor General's opinion, the proposed payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund would comply with section 124.

(3)A request for the grant of an approval to draw is to be made in any manner which the Welsh Ministers, with the approval of the Auditor General, decide to adopt.

(4)Where an approval to draw is granted the Paymaster General must make the funds available to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General, the Assembly Commission, [F115the Wales Audit Office] or the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (as appropriate).

(5)The Paymaster General must make available to—

(a)the Auditor General, and

(b)the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers,

a daily statement regarding all the issues made out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in respect of sums charged on that Fund and other payments out of it.

(6)For the purposes of this Act the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers is the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government.

(7)But the Treasury may designate another member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government to be the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers if and for so long as—

(a)the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government is incapable of discharging the responsibilities of principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers, or

(b)the office of Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government is vacant.

(8)In this section “Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government” means the person appointed in accordance with section 52 to be the head of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government (whether or not that person is known by the title of Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

130Payments in by mistakeU.K.

Where a sum is paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund which should not or need not have been paid into the Fund, the Auditor General may grant an approval to draw a payment equal to the amount of that sum out of the Fund.

Commencement Information

I112This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Financial accountability of Welsh MinistersU.K.

131Welsh Ministers' accountsU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must, for each financial year, prepare accounts in accordance with directions given to them by the Treasury.

(2)The accounts must include details of the financial affairs and transactions of the Counsel General.

(3)The directions which the Treasury may give under subsection (1) include directions to prepare accounts relating to financial affairs and transactions of persons other than the Welsh Ministers.

(4)The directions which the Treasury may give under subsection (1) include, in particular, directions as to—

(a)the financial affairs and transactions to which the accounts are to relate,

(b)the information to be contained in the accounts and the manner in which it is to be presented,

(c)the methods and principles in accordance with which the accounts are to be prepared, and

(d)the additional information (if any) that is to accompany the accounts.

(5)Any accounts which the Welsh Ministers are directed under this section to prepare for any financial year must be submitted by the Welsh Ministers to the Auditor General no later than 30th November in the following financial year.

(6)The Auditor General must—

(a)examine and certify any accounts submitted under this section, and

(b)no later than four months after the accounts are submitted, lay before the Assembly a copy of them as certified by the Auditor General together with the Auditor General's report on them.

(7)In examining accounts submitted under this section, the Auditor General must, in particular, be satisfied—

(a)that the expenditure to which the accounts relate has been incurred lawfully and in accordance with the authority which governs it, and

(b)that money received for a particular purpose or particular purposes has not been expended otherwise than for that purpose or those purposes.

(8)Where—

(a)by virtue of any enactment other than this section the Welsh Ministers are under an obligation to prepare accounts dealing with any matters, and

(b)it appears to the Treasury that those matters fall to be dealt with in accounts directed to be prepared under this section,

the Treasury may relieve the Welsh Ministers of that obligation for or in respect of such periods as the Treasury may direct.

Commencement Information

I113This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

132Account relating to Welsh Consolidated FundU.K.

(1)The Welsh Ministers must, for each financial year, prepare an account of the payments into and out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(2)The account must be prepared in accordance with directions given to the Welsh Ministers by the Treasury.

(3)The directions which the Treasury may give under subsection (2) include, in particular, directions as to—

(a)the information to be contained in the account and the manner in which it is to be presented,

(b)the methods and principles in accordance with which the account is to be prepared, and

(c)the additional information (if any) that is to accompany the account.

(4)Any account which the Welsh Ministers are directed under this section to prepare for any financial year must be submitted by the Welsh Ministers to the Auditor General no later than 30th November in the following financial year.

(5)The Auditor General must—

(a)examine and certify any account submitted under this section, and

(b)no later than four months after the account is submitted, lay before the Assembly a copy of it as certified by the Auditor General together with the Auditor General's report on it.

(6)In examining an account submitted under this section the Auditor General must, in particular, be satisfied—

(a)that any payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund to which the account relates was paid out in compliance with section 124 or 130, and

(b)that money which is required to be paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund has been paid into that Fund.

Commencement Information

I114This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

133Accounting officers for Welsh MinistersU.K.

(1)The principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers has—

(a)in relation to the accounts of the Welsh Ministers and the finances of the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General, and

(b)in relation to the performance by persons designated as accounting officers in pursuance of any provision of this Act of their responsibilities as accounting officers,

the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the Treasury.

(2)The principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers may designate other members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government as additional accounting officers.

(3)An additional accounting officer has, in relation to such of the accounts of the Welsh Ministers and the finances of the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General as may be specified by the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers, the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I115This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

134Accounts of subsidiaries of Welsh MinistersU.K.

(1)For the purposes of the examination by the Auditor General of any accounts of the Welsh Ministers the Auditor General—

(a)has a right of access at all reasonable times to every document relating to the accounts of any subsidiary of the Welsh Ministers (whether or not the accounts of the Welsh Ministers being examined relate to the financial affairs and transactions of the subsidiary),

(b)is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any of those documents any assistance, information or explanation which the Auditor General reasonably thinks necessary for those purposes, and

(c)may require any subsidiary of the Welsh Ministers to provide the Auditor General at times specified by the Auditor General with accounts of such of the subsidiary's transactions as the Auditor General may specify.

(2)The Treasury may, by directions given to a subsidiary of the Welsh Ministers, require the subsidiary to include in any accounts which the subsidiary prepares (under, for example, the law relating to companies or charities) such additional information as may be specified in the directions.

(3)The inclusion of information in any accounts in compliance with such directions does not constitute a breach of any provision which prohibits, or does not authorise, the inclusion in the accounts of that information.

(4)In this section “subsidiary of the Welsh Ministers” means—

(a)any body corporate or other undertaking in relation to which, if the Welsh Ministers were an undertaking, the Welsh Ministers would be a parent undertaking,

(b)any trust of which the Welsh Ministers are settlors, or

(c)any charitable institution of which the Welsh Ministers are founders but which is neither a body corporate nor a trust.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(a)—

  • undertaking” has the meaning given by [F116section 1161(1) of the Companies Act 2006], and

  • parent undertaking” is to be construed in accordance with [F117section 1162] of that Act.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I116This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

135Examinations into Welsh Ministers' use of resourcesU.K.

(1)The Auditor General may carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General have used their resources in discharging their functions.

(2)Subsection (1) does not entitle the Auditor General to question the merits of the policy objectives of the Welsh Ministers or the Counsel General.

(3)In determining how to exercise functions under this section the Auditor General must take into account the views of the Audit Committee as to the examinations to be carried out under this section.

(4)The Auditor General may lay before the Assembly a report of the results of any examination carried out under this section.

Commencement Information

I117This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

136Examinations by Comptroller and Auditor GeneralU.K.

(1)The Comptroller and Auditor General may carry out examinations into the payments into and out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(2)The Comptroller and Auditor General may report the results of any examination carried out under subsection (1) to the House of Commons.

(3)If a report is made under subsection (2), the Comptroller and Auditor General must at the same time lay a report of the results of the examination before the Assembly.

(4)For the purpose of enabling examinations under subsection (1) to be carried out the Comptroller and Auditor General—

(a)has a right of access at all reasonable times to all such documents in the custody or under the control of any of the persons mentioned in subsection (5) as the Comptroller and Auditor General may reasonably require for that purpose, and

(b)is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any of those documents any assistance, information or explanation which the Comptroller and Auditor General reasonably thinks necessary for that purpose.

(5)The persons referred to in subsection (4) are—

(a)the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General,

(b)the Assembly Commission,

(c)any other person audited by the Auditor General other than a Welsh NHS body (within the meaning given in section 60 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23)), and

(d)the Auditor General.

(6)Before carrying out an examination under subsection (1) or acting in reliance on subsection (4) the Comptroller and Auditor General must—

(a)consult the Auditor General, and

(b)take into account any relevant work done or being done by the Auditor General.

Commencement Information

I118This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Financial accountability of Assembly CommissionU.K.

137Assembly Commission's accountsU.K.

(1)The Assembly Commission must, for each financial year, prepare accounts in accordance with directions given to it by the Treasury.

(2)The directions which the Treasury may give under subsection (1) include directions to prepare accounts relating to financial affairs and transactions of persons other than the Assembly Commission.

(3)The directions which the Treasury may give under subsection (1) include, in particular, directions as to—

(a)the financial affairs and transactions to which the accounts are to relate,

(b)the information to be contained in the accounts and the manner in which it is to be presented,

(c)the methods and principles in accordance with which the accounts are to be prepared, and

(d)the additional information (if any) that is to accompany the accounts.

(4)Any accounts which the Assembly Commission is directed under this section to prepare for any financial year must be submitted by the Assembly Commission to the Auditor General no later than 30th November in the following financial year.

(5)The Auditor General must—

(a)examine and certify any accounts submitted under this section, and

(b)no later than four months after the accounts are submitted, lay before the Assembly a copy of them as certified by the Auditor General together with the Auditor General's report on them.

(6)In examining accounts submitted under this section the Auditor General must, in particular, be satisfied—

(a)that the expenditure to which the accounts relate has been incurred lawfully and in accordance with the authority which governs it, and

(b)that money received by the Assembly Commission for a particular purpose or particular purposes has not been expended otherwise than for that purpose or those purposes.

Commencement Information

I119This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

138Accounting officers for Assembly CommissionU.K.

(1)For the purposes of this Act the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission is the Clerk.

(2)But the Treasury may designate another member of the staff of the Assembly to be the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission if and for so long as—

(a)the Clerk is incapable of discharging the responsibilities of the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission, or

(b)the office of Clerk is vacant.

(3)The principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission has—

(a)in relation to the Assembly Commission's accounts and finances, and

(b)in relation to the performance by persons designated as accounting officers in pursuance of any provision of this Act of their responsibilities as accounting officers,

the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the Treasury.

(4)The principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission may designate other members of the staff of the Assembly as additional accounting officers.

(5)An additional accounting officer has, in relation to such of the Assembly Commission's accounts and finances as may be specified by the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission, the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission.

Commencement Information

I120This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

139Accounts of subsidiaries of Assembly CommissionU.K.

(1)For the purposes of the examination by the Auditor General of any accounts of the Assembly Commission the Auditor General—

(a)has a right of access at all reasonable times to every document relating to the accounts of any subsidiary of the Assembly Commission (whether or not the accounts of the Assembly Commission being examined relate to the financial affairs and transactions of the subsidiary),

(b)is entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any of those documents any assistance, information or explanation which the Auditor General reasonably thinks necessary for those purposes, and

(c)may require any subsidiary of the Assembly Commission to provide the Auditor General at times specified by the Auditor General with accounts of such of the subsidiary's transactions as the Auditor General may specify.

(2)The Treasury may, by directions given to a subsidiary of the Assembly Commission, require the subsidiary to include in any accounts which the subsidiary prepares (under, for example, the law relating to companies or charities) such additional information as may be specified in the directions.

(3)The inclusion of information in any accounts in compliance with such directions does not constitute a breach of any provision which prohibits, or does not authorise, the inclusion in the accounts of that information.

(4)In this section “subsidiary of the Assembly Commission” means—

(a)any body corporate or other undertaking in relation to which the Assembly Commission is a parent undertaking,

(b)any trust of which the Assembly Commission is settlor, or

(c)any charitable institution of which the Assembly Commission is founder but which is neither a body corporate nor a trust.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4)(a)—

  • undertaking” has the meaning given by [F118section 1161(1) of the Companies Act 2006], and

  • parent undertaking” is to be construed in accordance with [F119section 1162] of that Act.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I121This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

140Examinations into Assembly Commission's use of resourcesU.K.

(1)The Auditor General may carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Assembly Commission has used its resources in discharging its functions.

(2)Subsection (1) does not entitle the Auditor General to question the merits of the policy objectives of the Assembly Commission.

(3)In determining how to exercise functions under this section the Auditor General must take into account the views of the Audit Committee as to the examinations to be carried out under this section.

(4)The Auditor General may lay before the Assembly a report of the results of any examination carried out under this section.

Commencement Information

I122This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Whole of Government of Wales accountsU.K.

141Whole of government accounts: Welsh MinistersU.K.

(1)This section applies in respect of a financial year for which the Treasury make arrangements with the Welsh Ministers under section 10(8) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (c. 20) (whole of government accounts: consolidation of Welsh accounts).

(2)The Welsh Ministers must prepare a set of accounts for the group of bodies which provide information to the Welsh Ministers in accordance with the arrangements under section 10(8).

(3)Accounts prepared under this section may include information referring wholly or partly to activities which—

(a)are not activities of bodies falling within subsection (2), but

(b)appear to the Welsh Ministers to be activities of a public nature.

(4)The accounts must contain such information in such form as the Treasury may direct.

(5)The Treasury must exercise the power under subsection (4) with a view to ensuring that the accounts—

(a)present a true and fair view, and

(b)conform to generally accepted accounting practice subject to such adaptations as are necessary in the context.

(6)For the purposes of subsection (5)(a) and (b) the Treasury must in particular—

(a)have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Accounting Standards Board Limited or any other body prescribed for the purposes of [F120section 464 of the Companies Act 2006](accounting standards) or to international accounting standards (as defined in [F121section 474 of that Act]), and

(b)require the accounts to include, subject to paragraph (a), a statement of financial performance, a statement of financial position and a cash flow statement.

(7)Any accounts which the Welsh Ministers are required to prepare under this section for any financial year must be submitted by the Welsh Ministers to the Auditor General no later than 30th November in the following financial year.

(8)But the Welsh Ministers may by order substitute another date for the date for the time being specified in subsection (7).

(9)No order may be made under subsection (7) unless the Welsh Ministers have consulted—

(a)the Treasury, and

(b)the Auditor General.

(10)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (7) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I123This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

142Functions of Auditor GeneralU.K.

(1)The Auditor General must examine accounts submitted under section 141 with a view to being satisfied that they present a true and fair view.

(2)Where the Auditor General has conducted an examination of accounts under subsection (1), the Auditor General must—

(a)certify them and issue a report, and

(b)no later than four months after the accounts are submitted, lay before the Assembly a copy of them as certified by the Auditor General together with the Auditor General's report on them.

(3)A person who acts as auditor for the purposes of section 10(2)(c) or (8)(c) of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (c. 20) must give the Auditor General such information and explanations as the Auditor General may reasonably require for the purposes of this section.

Commencement Information

I124This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Treatment of accounts and audit reports etc.U.K.

143Audit Committee reportsU.K.

(1)The Audit Committee may consider, and lay before the Assembly a report on, any accounts, statement of accounts or report laid before the Assembly by—

(a)the Auditor General, or

F122(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)If requested to do so by the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, the Audit Committee may—

(a)on behalf of the Committee of Public Accounts take evidence from any of the persons mentioned in subsection (3), and

(b)report to the Committee of Public Accounts and transmit to that Committee any evidence so taken.

(3)The persons referred to in subsection (2)(a) are—

(a)the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commission, and

(c)additional accounting officers designated under section 133 or 138.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I125This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

144Publication of accounts and audit reports etc.U.K.

(1)The Assembly must publish a document to which this subsection applies as soon after the document is laid before the Assembly as is reasonably practicable.

(2)The documents to which subsection (1) applies are—

(a)any accounts, statement of accounts or report laid before the Assembly by the Auditor General,

(b)any accounts or report laid before the Assembly by the auditor appointed under [F123paragraph 34 of Schedule 1 to the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013], and

(c)any report F124... laid before the Assembly by the Audit Committee under section 143(1) F124....

[F125(d)any estimate of income and expenses of the Wales Audit Office laid before the Assembly under section 20(1) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (including any modifications made to that estimate under section 20(4) of that Act),

(e)any scheme for charging fees laid before the Assembly by the Wales Audit Office under section 24(4)(c) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013,

(f)any annual plan laid before the Assembly by the Auditor General and the chair of the Wales Audit Office under section 26 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013,

(g)any report laid before the Assembly under paragraph 3(6) of Schedule 2 to the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (reports on the exercise of the functions of the Auditor General and the Wales Audit Office).]

Textual Amendments

F124Words in s. 144(2)(c) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 76(3) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Commencement Information

I126This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Auditor General for WalesU.K.

145Auditor GeneralU.K.

F126(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)For provision about [F127the Auditor General for Wales or Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru (referred to in this Act as “the Auditor General”) see Schedule 8 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013].

(3)The Welsh Ministers must co-operate with the Auditor General where it seems to them appropriate to do so for the efficient and effective discharge of their functions in relation to Welsh NHS bodies.

(4)Welsh NHS bodies” has the meaning given by section 60 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23).

Textual Amendments

F127Words in s. 145(2) substituted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 77(3) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Commencement Information

I127This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 6U.K.Miscellaneous and supplementary

Welsh public recordsU.K.

146Status of Welsh public recordsU.K.

(1)Welsh public records are not public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51).

(2)But that Act has effect in relation to Welsh public records (as if they were public records for the purpose of that Act) until an order under section 147 imposes a duty to preserve them on the Welsh Ministers (or a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government).

(3)Subsection (2) applies to Welsh public records whether or not, apart from subsection (1), they would be public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act 1958.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I128This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

147Transfer of responsibilityU.K.

(1)The [F128Secretary of State] may by order make provision—

(a)imposing or conferring on the Welsh Ministers (or a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government) functions relating to Welsh public records (including, in particular, functions of preserving them and of making them available for inspection by the public), and

(b)imposing on persons responsible for Welsh public records duties relating to the selection of such records for permanent preservation, the safe-keeping of such records and their transfer to a place specified in, or appointed under, the order.

(2)An order under this section may (in particular) make in relation to Welsh public records provision analogous to that made by the Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51) in relation to records which are public records for the purposes of that Act.

(3)An order under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as the [F129Secretary of State] considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the order.

(4)An order under this section which imposes on the Welsh Ministers (or a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government) a duty to preserve Welsh public records, or Welsh public records of a particular description, must include provision for the [F129Secretary of State] to make such arrangements as appear appropriate for the transfer of Welsh public records, or Welsh public records of that description, which are in—

(a)the Public Record Office, or

(b)a place of deposit appointed under the Public Records Act 1958,

to a place specified in, or appointed under, the order.

(5)No order is to be made under this section unless the [F129Secretary of State] has consulted the Welsh Ministers.

(6)No order under this section which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act is to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I129This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

148Meaning of “Welsh public recordsU.K.

(1)The following are Welsh public records—

(a)administrative and departmental records belonging to Her Majesty which are records of the Welsh F37... Government,

(b)administrative and departmental records of the Auditor General,

[F130(ba)administrative and departmental records belonging to Her Majesty which are records of or held by the Welsh Revenue Authority;]

(c)administrative and departmental records belonging to Her Majesty which are records of or held in any government department which is wholly or mainly concerned with Welsh affairs,

(d)administrative and departmental records belonging to Her Majesty which are records of any office, commission or other body or establishment under Her Majesty's Government which is wholly or mainly concerned with Welsh affairs in a field or fields in which the Welsh Ministers have functions, or the First Minister or the Counsel General has functions,

(e)administrative and departmental records of the bodies and establishments specified in subsection (2) (but not records of health service hospitals in Wales which are of the descriptions excepted from being public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51) in the case of health service hospitals in England), and

(f)any other description of records (other than records of the Assembly or the Assembly Commission or records of any court or tribunal or held in any department of the Senior Courts) which is specified by order made by the [F131Secretary of State].

(2)The bodies and establishments referred to in subsection (1)(e) are—

(a)the Care Council for Wales,

F132(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales,

(d)Family Practitioner Committees for localities in Wales,

(e)the Further Education Funding Council for Wales,

(f)the General Teaching Council for Wales,

(g)health service hospitals, within the meaning of the [F133National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006], in Wales,

(h)the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales,

(i)the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales,

(j)the National Council for Education and Training for Wales,

(k)National Health Service Authorities for districts or localities in Wales, or for areas in or consisting of Wales, including National Health Service trusts all of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are situated in Wales,

[F134(ka)the Natural Resources Body for Wales,]

(l)the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales,

[F135(la)Qualifications Wales,]

(m)the Wales Centre for Health, and

(n)the Welsh Board of Health.

(3)An order under subsection (1)(f) may be made in relation to a description of records—

(a)which (immediately before the order is made) are public records for the purposes of the Public Records Act 1958, or

(b)which (at that time) are not public records for those purposes.

(4)No order under subsection (1)(f) may be made—

(a)in relation to records within paragraph (a) of subsection (3), unless the [F136Secretary of State] has consulted the Welsh Ministers, and

(b)in relation to records within paragraph (b) of that subsection, without the agreement of the Welsh Ministers.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1)(f) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6)In this section “records” includes—

(a)written records, and

(b)records conveying information by any other means.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

F133Words in s. 148(2)(g) substituted (1.3.2007) by virtue of National Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 303 (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I130This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

MiscellaneousU.K.

149Resolution of devolution issuesU.K.

For provision about the resolution of devolution issues see Schedule 9.

Commencement Information

I131This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

150Power to make consequential provisionU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State may by order make such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of—

(a)any provision made by an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly,

(b)any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly,

(c)any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General, or

(d)any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, by any other person (not being a Minister of the Crown) in the exercise of a function conferred or imposed by Act of Parliament where the statutory instrument (or a draft of the statutory instrument) containing the subordinate legislation is required to be laid before the Assembly.

(2)An order under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3)An order under this section may not make provision with respect to matters within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.

(4)An order under this section may make provision having retrospective effect.

(5)No order under this section which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act is to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(6)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)In subsection (1) “made” includes confirmed or approved.

Commencement Information

I132This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F137150AChange of name of the Assembly etc: translation of referencesU.K.

(1)Subsection (2) applies if an Act of the Assembly, or subordinate legislation made under an Act of the Assembly, changes the name of—

(a)the National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru),

(b)the National Assembly for Wales Commission (Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru), or

(c)Acts of the National Assembly for Wales (Deddfau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru).

(See paragraph 7(2)(a)(i) and (xi) and paragraph 7(2)(c)(i) of Schedule 7B.)

(2)Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to the National Assembly for Wales, the National Assembly for Wales Commission or an Act of the National Assembly for Wales (as the case may be), or the Welsh equivalent shown in subsection (1), in—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

is to be read as, or as including, a reference to the new name.]

Textual Amendments

151Power to remedy ultra vires actsU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such provision as Her Majesty considers appropriate in consequence of—

(a)an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any provision of an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, which is not, or may not be, within the Assembly's legislative competence, or

(b)any purported exercise by any person of a function conferred or imposed by or under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly which is not, or may not be, an exercise or proper exercise of that function.

(2)An Order in Council under this section may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate.

(3)An Order in Council under this section may make provision having retrospective effect.

(4)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this section which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under this section is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I133This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

152Intervention in case of functions relating to water etc.U.K.

(1)This section applies where it appears to the Secretary of State that the exercise of a relevant function (or the failure to exercise a relevant function) in any particular case might have a serious adverse impact on—

(a)water resources in England,

(b)water supply in England, or

(c)the quality of water in England.

(2)The Secretary of State may intervene under this paragraph in that case, so that—

(a)the Secretary of State may in that case exercise the function, and

(b)the person or persons on whom the function is conferred or imposed may not in that case exercise the function.

(3)Relevant function” means—

(a)a function conferred or imposed on any person by or under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or

(b)a function which is not so conferred or imposed but is exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

(4)An intervention by the Secretary of State under this section in relation to a function is to be made by giving notice to the person or persons on whom it is conferred or imposed.

(5)The notice—

(a)must state the reason for the Secretary of State's intervention,

(b)may make provision about the effect of any steps previously taken by the person or persons on whom the function is conferred or imposed, and

(c)may extend the time for the taking of any steps by the Secretary of State or any other person (even if the time for taking them would otherwise have expired before the notice is given).

(6)Where an intervention has been made under this section in a case, the Secretary of State must, in addition to the notice under subsection (4), give notice to—

(a)any person who has previously been given notice of any steps taken, or proposed to be taken, in the case,

[F138(aa)the Natural Resources Body for Wales, if concerned in the case,]

(b)the Environment Agency, if concerned in the case, and

(c)any water undertaker or sewerage undertaker concerned in the case.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I134This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

153Power to vary retrospective decisionsU.K.

(1)This section applies where any court or tribunal decides—

(a)that an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any provision of an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, is outside the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b)that any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly is outside the powers under which it was, or purported to be, made, or

(c)that any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is outside the powers under which it was, or purported to be, made.

(2)The court or tribunal may make an order—

(a)removing or limiting any retrospective effect of the decision, or

(b)suspending the effect of the decision for any period and on any conditions to allow the defect to be corrected.

(3)In determining whether to make an order under this section, the court or tribunal must (among other things) have regard to the extent to which persons who are not parties to the proceedings would otherwise be adversely affected by the decision.

(4)Where a court or tribunal is considering whether to make an order under this section, it must order notice (or intimation) of that fact to be given to the persons specified in subsection (5) (unless a party to the proceedings).

(5)The persons mentioned in subsection (4) are—

(a)in relation to proceedings in England and Wales, the Attorney General and the Counsel General,

(b)in relation to proceedings in Scotland, the Advocate General for Scotland, and

(c)in relation to proceedings in Northern Ireland, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

(6)A person to whom notice (or intimation) is given in pursuance of subsection (4) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to the making of the order.

(7)In deciding any question as to costs or expenses, the court or tribunal may—

(a)take account of any additional expense which it considers that any party to the proceedings has incurred as a result of the participation of any person in pursuance of subsection (6), and

(b)award the whole or part of the additional expense as costs or expenses to the party who incurred it (whether or not it makes an order under this section and whatever the terms of any such order it does make).

(8)Any power to make provision for regulating the procedure before any court or tribunal includes power to make provision for the purposes of this section including, in particular, provision for determining the manner in which and the time within which any notice (or intimation) is to be given.

(9)In subsection (1) “made” includes confirmed or approved.

Commencement Information

I135This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

154Interpretation of legislationU.K.

(1)This section applies to—

(a)any provision of an Assembly Measure, or proposed Assembly Measure, which could be read in such a way as to be outside the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b)any provision of an Act of the Assembly, or a Bill for such an Act, which could be read in such a way as to be outside the Assembly's legislative competence, and

(c)any provision of subordinate legislation made, or purporting to be made, under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly which could be read in such a way as to be outside the powers under which it was, or purported to be, made.

(2)The provision is to be read as narrowly as is required for it to be within competence or within the powers, if such a reading is possible, and is to have effect accordingly.

(3)In subsection (1)(c) “made” includes confirmed or approved.

Commencement Information

I136This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

155Functions exercisable in relation to WalesU.K.

(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council specify functions which are to be treated for such purposes of this Act as may be specified in the Order in Council—

(a)as being, or as not being, functions which are exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General, or

(b)as being, or as not being, functions which are exercisable in relation to Wales [F139or the Welsh zone].

(2)A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F139Words in s. 155(1)(b) inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(7); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

Commencement Information

I137This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

156English and Welsh texts of legislationU.K.

(1)The English and Welsh texts of—

(a)any Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly which is in both English and Welsh when it is enacted, or

(b)any subordinate legislation which is in both English and Welsh when it is made,

are to be treated for all purposes as being of equal standing.

(2)The Welsh Ministers may by order provide in respect of any Welsh word or phrase that, when it appears in the Welsh text of any Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any subordinate legislation made under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly or by the Welsh Ministers, it is to be taken as having the same meaning as the English word or phrase specified in relation to it in the order.

(3)No order is to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(4)An Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any subordinate legislation made under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly or by the Welsh Ministers, is to be construed in accordance with any order under subsection (2); but this is subject to anything to the contrary contained in the Assembly Measure, Act of the Assembly or subordinate legislation.

(5)This section applies in relation to subordinate legislation made by the First Minister or the Counsel General as in relation to subordinate legislation made by the Welsh Ministers.

Commencement Information

I138This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

SupplementaryU.K.

157Orders and directionsU.K.

(1)Any power of a Minister of the Crown or the Welsh Ministers under this Act to make an order is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(2)Any such power and any power under this Act to make an Order in Council—

(a)may be exercised so as to make different provision for different cases or classes of case or different purposes,

(b)may be exercised so as to make provision which applies generally or subject to specified exemptions or exceptions or only in relation to specific cases or classes of case, and

(c)includes power to make supplementary, incidental, consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision.

(3)Any power conferred by this Act to give a direction includes power to vary or revoke the direction.

158InterpretationU.K.

(1)In this Act (except where the context otherwise requires)—

  • [F56EU] law” means—

    (a)

    all the rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions from time to time created or arising by or under the [F56EU] Treaties, and

    (b)

    all the remedies and procedures from time to time provided for by or under the [F56EU] Treaties,

  • the Convention rights” has the same meaning as in the Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42),

  • cross-border body” means any body (including a government department) or undertaker exercising functions, or carrying on activities, in or with respect to Wales (or any part of Wales) and anywhere else,

  • enactment” includes an Assembly Measure, an Act of the Assembly and subordinate legislation (but see also subsection (2)),

  • English border area” means a part of England adjoining Wales (but not the whole of England),

  • financial year” means the twelve months ending with 31st March,

  • function” means power or duty,

  • government department” means any department of the Government of the United Kingdom,

  • international obligations” means any international obligations of the United Kingdom other than obligations to observe and implement [F56EU] law or the Convention rights,

  • Minister of the Crown” includes the Treasury,

  • modifications” includes amendments, repeals and revocations,

  • subordinate legislation” has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30) (including an instrument made under an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly),

  • tribunal” means any tribunal in which legal proceedings may be brought, F140. . .

  • Wales” includes the sea adjacent to Wales out as far as the seaward boundary of the territorial sea.[F141, and

  • Welsh zone” means the sea adjacent to Wales which is—

    (a)

    within British fishery limits (that is, the limits set by or under section 1 of the Fishery Limits Act 1976), and

    (b)

    specified in an Order in Council under section 58 or an order under subsection (3).]

(2)In sections 95(3), 109(2)[F142, 116C(2)][F143, 150A(2)] and 151(2) “enactment” includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament and an instrument made under such an Act.

[F144(3)The Secretary of State may by order determine, or make provision for determining, for the purposes of the definitions of “Wales” and the “Welsh zone”, any boundary between waters which are to be treated as parts of the sea adjacent to Wales, or sea within British fishery limits adjacent to Wales, and those which are not.]

(4)An Order in Council under section 58 may include any provision that may be included in an order under subsection (3).

(5)No order is to be made under subsection (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(6)Section 13 of the National Audit Act 1983 (c. 44) (interpretation of references to the Committee of Public Accounts) applies for the purposes of this Act as for those of that Act.

Textual Amendments

F141S. 158(1): definition of "Welsh Zone" and preceding word inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43(2), 324; S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

F142Word in s. 158(2) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(5), 29(2)(b)(3)

F143Word in s. 158(2) inserted (31.3.2017) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 16(2), 71(2)(c) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

F144S. 158(3) substituted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43(3), 324; S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

159Index of defined expressionsU.K.

In this Act the following expressions are defined or otherwise explained by the provisions indicated—

the 2007 electionsection 161(1)
Acts of the Assemblysection 107(1)
annual Budget motionsection 125(1)
the Assemblysection 1(1)
the Assembly Act provisionssection 103(8)
the Assembly Commissionsection 27(1)
Assembly constituencysection 2(1)
Assembly constituency membersection 1(2)(a)
Assembly electoral regionsection 2(2) and (3) F145...
Assembly Measuressection 93(1)
Assembly membersection 1(3)
Assembly proceedingssection 1(5)
Assembly regional membersection 1(2)(b)
Assembly's legislative competence (in relation to Acts of the Assembly)section 108
Assembly's legislative competence (in relation to Assembly Measures)section 94
the Audit Committeesection 30(1)
the Auditor Generalsection 145(1)
Budget resolution of the Assemblysection 120(8)
the Clerksection 26(1)
the Committee of Public Accountssection 158(6)
[F56EU] lawsection 158(1)
constituency votesection 6(2)
the Convention rightssection 158(1)
the Counsel Generalsection 45(1)(c)
cross-border bodysection 158(1)
the Deputy Presiding Officersection 25(1)(b)
Deputy Welsh Ministersection 50
[F146devolved taxsection 116A(4)]
electoral region figuresection 8(5)
electoral region votesection 6(3)
enactmentsection 158(1) and (2)
English border areasection 158(1)
financial yearsection 158(1)
the First Ministersections 46 and 47
functionsection 158(1)
government departmentsection 158(1)
the initial periodsection 161(5)
international obligationssection 158(1)
member of the staff of the Assemblyparagraph 3(2) of Schedule 2
member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Governmentsection 52
Minister of the Crownsection 158(1)
modificationssection 158(1)
political groupsection 24(5)
political group with an executive rolesection 25(8)
the Presiding Officersection 25(1)(a)
the principal accounting officer for the Assembly Commissionsection 138(1) and (2)
the principal accounting officer for the Welsh Ministerssection 129(6) and (7)
regional returning officersection 7(7)
registered political partysection 6(6)
relevant enactment (in sections 124 to 128)section 124(4)
the relevant persons (in sections 124 to 128)section 124(3)
the standing orderssection 31(1)
subordinate legislationsection 158(1)
supplementary Budget motionsection 126(1)
tribunalsection 158(1)
use of resourcessection 125(4)
Walessection 158(1), (3) and (4)
Welsh F37... Governmentsection 45(1)
Welsh Consolidated Fundsection 117
the Welsh Ministerssection 45(2)
[F147“Welsh zone”section 158(1), (3) and (4)]

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

F146Words in s. 159 inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(6), 29(2)(b)(3)

F147S. 159: entry in index inserted (12.11.2009 for certain purposes and 12.1.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 43, 324, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 6(8); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 7

160Minor and consequential amendmentsU.K.

(1)For minor and consequential amendments see Schedule 10.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment contained in an Act passed before or in the same session as this Act, or

(b)any enactment contained in an instrument made before the passing of this Act or in the session in which this Act is passed,

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in consequence of this Act.

(3)No order containing provision under subsection (2)(a) is to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(4)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (2) is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I139S. 160(1) in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5)); s. 160(2)-(4) in force at Royal Assent, see s. 161(2)

161CommencementU.K.

(1)Subject as follows, this Act comes into force immediately after the ordinary election under section 3 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) held in 2007 (referred to in this Act as “the 2007 election”).

(2)The following provisions come into force on the day on which this Act is passed—

  • paragraphs 5, 6 and 12 of Schedule 2,

  • sections 95 and 96 and Schedule 5,

  • section 109 and Schedule 7,

  • section 119 and the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 81 of the Government of Wales Act 1998,

  • section 120(3) and (7),

  • section 125 and the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 86 of the Government of Wales Act 1998,

  • sections 157 to 159,

  • section 160(2) to (4),

  • the amendment made by paragraph 61 of Schedule 10 in section 13 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41),

  • this section,

  • section 162 and Schedule 11,

  • the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 12(1)(d) of the Government of Wales Act 1998, and

  • sections 164 to 166.

(3)The following provisions come into force on 1st April 2007—

  • sections 117 and 118 and the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 80 of the Government of Wales Act 1998,

  • section 120(1) and (2), (4) to (6) and (8) and the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 84 of that Act,

  • sections 121 and 122 and the repeal by Schedule 12 of section 82 of that Act,

  • section 124 and the repeal by Schedule 12 of sections 85(1) and 89 of that Act,

  • section 126,

  • sections 128 and 129, and

  • the amendments in the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65), the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41) and the Housing Act 1988 (c. 50) made by Schedule 10.

(4)Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (6), the following provisions come into force immediately after the end of the initial period—

(a)any provision of this Act so far as relating to functions of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission,

(b)any provision of this Act so far as relating to the Auditor General or the Comptroller and Auditor General,

(c)any other provision consisting of an amendment made in the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) by Schedule 10, and

(d)the repeal by Schedule 12 of provisions falling to be repealed in consequence of any provision within paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

(5)In this Act “the initial period” means the period—

(a)beginning with the day of the poll at the 2007 election, and

(b)ending with the day on which the first appointment is made under section 46.

(6)The repeals by Schedule 12 of each of sections 83, 88, 93(8), 97 and 101A of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (and of the other provisions of that Act so far as relating to them) come into force when the section has been complied with for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 (and earlier financial years); and sections 123, 131, 132 and 141 do not apply for that financial year.

(7)The Assembly Act provisions come into force in accordance with section 105.

162Transitional etc. provisionU.K.

(1)For transitional and transitory provisions and savings see Schedule 11.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order make any other transitional, transitory or saving provision which may appear appropriate in consequence of, or otherwise in connection with, this Act.

(3)An order under subsection (2) may, in particular, include any savings from the effect of any amendment or repeal or revocation made by this Act.

(4)Nothing in Schedule 11 limits the power conferred by subsection (2); and such an order may, in particular, make modifications of that Schedule.

(5)Nothing in that Schedule, or in any provision made by virtue of subsection (2), prejudices the operation of sections 16 and 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30).

(6)No order under subsection (2) which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of any provision contained in any of paragraphs 30 to 35, 50 and 51 of Schedule 11 is to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (2) is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

163Repeals and revocationsU.K.

For repeals and revocations of enactments (including some spent enactments) see Schedule 12.

Commencement Information

I140This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

164Financial provisionU.K.

(1)There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—

(a)any expenditure incurred by a Minister of the Crown or government department by virtue of this Act, and

(b)any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money provided by Parliament.

(2)There are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund any sums received by a Minister of the Crown by virtue of this Act (other than any required to be paid into the National Loans Fund).

165ExtentU.K.

(1)The following provisions—

  • section 36(7) to (9),

  • section 39, and

  • section 40(2) and (3),

extend only to England and Wales.

(2)The amendments, and repeals and revocations, made by this Act have the same extent as the enactments amended or repealed or revoked.

166Short titleU.K.

This Act may be cited as the Government of Wales Act 2006.

SCHEDULES

Section 2

F148SCHEDULE 1U.K.Alteration of Assembly electoral regions

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 27

SCHEDULE 2U.K.Assembly Commission

MembershipU.K.

1(1)The Presiding Officer holds office as a member of the Assembly Commission until another person is elected to the office of Presiding Officer unless the Presiding Officer ceases to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution.U.K.

(2)Any other member of the Assembly Commission holds office until another Assembly member is appointed as a replacement unless sub-paragraph (3) applies.

(3)This sub-paragraph applies if the person—

(a)resigns office as a member of the Assembly Commission,

(b)ceases to be an Assembly member otherwise than by reason of a dissolution, or

(c)is removed from office as a member of the Assembly Commission by the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I141This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

PropertyU.K.

2U.K.The Assembly Commission may acquire, hold and dispose of property.

Commencement Information

I142This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

StaffU.K.

3(1)The Assembly Commission may appoint staff.U.K.

(2)The Clerk and the other persons appointed by the Assembly Commission are referred to in this Act as the members of the staff of the Assembly.

(3)Employment as a member of the staff of the Assembly is not employment under the Crown (but see paragraph 12).

(4)The Assembly Commission must ensure that—

(a)the procedures for the recruitment and selection of persons as members of the staff of the Assembly are broadly in line with those applying to the recruitment and selection of persons as members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government, and

(b)the terms and conditions of employment of the members of the staff of the Assembly are broadly in line with those of the members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.

(5)The Assembly Commission is to pay the salaries and expenses of the members of the staff of the Assembly.

(6)The Assembly Commission may make arrangements for the payment of pensions, gratuities or allowances to or in respect of anyone who has ceased to be a member of the staff of the Assembly.

(7)The Assembly Commission may, in particular, make contributions to, or payments towards the provision of, such pensions, gratuities or allowances.

(8)In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11) (employments etc. to which section 1 of the Act applies), in the appropriate place in the list of “Other Bodies” insert— “ Employment as a member of the staff of the National Assembly for Wales. ”

(9)The Assembly Commission must make payments to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as the Minister for the Civil Service may determine, of such amounts as may be so determined in respect of —

(a)the provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities by virtue of section 1 of the Superannuation Act 1972 to or in respect of persons who are or have been members of the staff of the Assembly, and

(b)the expenses incurred in administering those pensions, allowances and gratuities.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I143This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

PowersU.K.

4(1)The Assembly Commission may do anything which appears to it necessary or appropriate for the purpose of, or in connection with, the discharge of its functions.U.K.

(2)That includes, in particular—

(a)entering into contracts,

(b)charging for goods or services,

(c)investing sums not immediately required for the discharge of its functions, and

(d)accepting gifts.

(3)Where (by will or otherwise) any property is (by whatever words used) expressed to be given to the Assembly, the gift takes effect as a gift to the Assembly Commission.

(4)The Assembly Commission may—

(a)sell goods or provide services to the public, or

(b)make arrangements for the sale of goods or the provision of services to the public.

(5)The Assembly Commission may borrow sums in sterling by way of overdraft or otherwise for the purpose of meeting a temporary excess of expenditure over sums otherwise available to meet expenditure.

(6)The Assembly Commission—

(a)may not borrow money otherwise than under sub-paragraph (5), and

(b)may borrow under that sub-paragraph only in accordance with special or general directions given by the Assembly to the Assembly Commission under section 27(6).

(7)The Secretary of State may by order provide that the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 (c. 65) applies in relation to contracts entered into by the Assembly Commission but subject to any appropriate modifications.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (7) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I144This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Promotion of awareness of election system and devolved governmentU.K.

5(1)The Assembly Commission may promote public awareness of—U.K.

(a)the current or any pending system for the election of Assembly members, and

(b)the current or any pending system of devolved government in Wales.

(2)For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph 6 a system is “pending” if arrangements for giving effect to it have been made by any enactment but the arrangements are not yet in force.

(3)The Assembly Commission may exercise its power under sub-paragraph (1) in such manner as it thinks fit but may, in particular, do so by—

(a)carrying out programmes of education or information to promote public awareness, or

(b)making grants to other persons or bodies for the purpose of enabling them to carry out such programmes.

(4)Any grant under sub-paragraph (3)(b) may be made subject to such conditions as the Assembly Commission considers appropriate.

6U.K.The Assembly Commission may provide financial assistance to the Electoral Commission for the purpose of enabling it to carry out its functions under section 13(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) so far as relating to the promotion of public awareness of—

(a)the current or any pending system for the election of Assembly members, and

(b)the current or any pending system of devolved government in Wales.

DelegationU.K.

7U.K.The Assembly Commission may delegate any of its functions to—

(a)the Presiding Officer, or

(b)the Clerk.

Commencement Information

I145This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Principles in accordance with which functions are to be exercisedU.K.

8(1)The Assembly Commission must make appropriate arrangements with a view to securing that its functions are exercised with due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people.U.K.

(2)In the exercise of the functions of the Assembly Commission due regard must be had to the principle of promoting sustainable development.

[F149(3)The Assembly Commission must, in the exercise of its functions—

(a)treat the official languages of the Assembly on a basis of equality, and

(b)make arrangements for enabling effect to be given to section 35(1), (1A), (1B) and (1C).

(4)The Assembly Commission must—

(a)adopt, and

(b)publish,

a scheme, to be known as the Assembly Commission's Official Languages Scheme (“ the Scheme ”), specifying the measures which it proposes to take in order to comply with its duties under sub-paragraph (3).

(5)The Scheme must include (amongst other things) provision about—

(a)simultaneous interpretation from one official language into the other—

(i)in all Assembly proceedings,

(ii)in public meetings conducted on behalf of the Assembly Commission, and

(iii)in such other meetings connected with the functions of the Assembly or the Assembly Commission as may be provided for in the Scheme,

(b)publication of documents in both official languages, subject to any exceptions identified in the Scheme,

(c)public engagement with—

(i)Assembly proceedings, and

(ii)other functions of the Assembly and of the Assembly Commission,

through the medium of either of the official languages,

(d)practical measures to foster and continually improve freedom of choice of official language—

(i)on the part of those participating in Assembly proceedings, and

(ii)in relation to the functions of the Assembly or the Assembly Commission generally,

(e)the setting of targets and timescales relating to implementation of the Scheme,

(f)the allocation of responsibilities for implementing the Scheme,

(g)objective means of measuring progress in implementing the Scheme, and

(h)a strategy for ensuring that the staff of the Assembly have, collectively, the language skills necessary to enable the Scheme to be implemented.

(6)The Scheme must include provision relating to the receipt, investigation and consideration of complaints of failures to give effect to provisions of the Scheme.

(7)The Scheme must identify those services provided or to be provided in the official languages and explain how those services are to be provided in accordance with paragraph 8(5).

(8)The Assembly Commission must, in respect of each financial year, lay before the Assembly a report setting out how the Commission has, during the year in question, given effect to the Scheme.

(9)The report prepared by the Assembly Commission under sub-paragraph (8) must include—

(a)whether and to what degree the services referred to in sub-paragraph (7) have been provided, and

(b)if applicable, the reasons why the Commission has not provided any of the services referred to in sub-paragraph (7) in both official languages.

(10)The Assembly Commission—

(a)must review the Scheme as soon as is reasonably practicable after each ordinary general election, or after an extraordinary general election to which section 5(5) applies, and

(b)may, at any time, adopt a new Scheme or an amendment to the existing Scheme.

(11)The Assembly Commission may not adopt a Scheme, or an amendment to a Scheme, unless (whether before or after the coming into force of this paragraph)—

(a)a draft of the Scheme (or of the amendment) has been—

(i)published, and

(ii)laid before the Assembly,

(b)the Assembly Commission has given—

(i)those persons whom the Assembly Commission considers it appropriate to consult in relation to the Scheme, and

(ii)the Assembly,

reasonable opportunity to make representations in relation to the draft,

(c)the Assembly Commission has considered any representations made about the draft Scheme (or draft amendment) by—

(i)the persons consulted under sub-paragraph (b)(i), and

(ii)the Assembly, and

(d)the Scheme (or the amendment) incorporating such modifications as the Assembly Commission may, having considered such representations, make, has been laid before and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.

(12)The Assembly Commission must give effect to the Scheme.]

Textual Amendments

F149Sch. 2 para. 8(3)-(12) substituted for Sch. 2 para. 8(3) (13.11.2012) by National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012 (anaw 1), ss. 2, 3(b)

Commencement Information

I146This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Annual reportU.K.

9U.K.After each financial year the Assembly Commission must—

(a)publish a report relating to the exercise of its functions during the financial year, and

(b)lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I147This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Validity of actsU.K.

10U.K.The validity of any act of the Assembly Commission is not affected by—

(a)any vacancy in its membership,

(b)any defect in the appointment of any member, or

(c)any lack of qualification for membership of any member.

Commencement Information

I148This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

ProceedingsU.K.

11(1)The Assembly Commission may determine its own procedure.U.K.

(2)The Presiding Officer is to preside at meetings of the Assembly Commission but the Assembly Commission may appoint another of its members to preside if—

(a)the office of Presiding Officer is vacant, or

(b)the Presiding Officer is for any reason unable to act.

Commencement Information

I149This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Crown statusU.K.

12(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for the Assembly Commission to be treated to any extent as a Crown body for the purposes of any enactment.U.K.

(2)In particular, the Order in Council may for the purposes of any enactment provide—

(a)for employment as a member of the staff of the Assembly to be treated as employment by the Assembly Commission as a Crown body, or

(b)for land held, used or managed by the Assembly Commission, or operations carried out by or on behalf of the Assembly Commission, to be treated as land held, used or managed by, or operations carried out by or on behalf of, the Assembly Commission as a Crown body.

(3)For the purposes of this paragraph “Crown body” means a body which is a servant or agent of the Crown, and includes a government department.

(4)A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of—

(a)a resolution of either House of Parliament, or

(b)a resolution of the Assembly.

Section 58

SCHEDULE 3U.K.Transfer etc. of functions: further provisions

Part 1 U.K.Functions transferable etc.

Existing and future functionsU.K.

1(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (2), an Order in Council under section 58 may make provision about any function of a Minister of the Crown (including a function conferred or imposed after the passing of this Act).U.K.

(2)Such an Order in Council may not make provision about any function conferred or imposed by any provision of this Act except section 4.

Commencement Information

I150This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Functions relating to cultureU.K.

2U.K.If and to the extent that any function is exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to the Welsh language or any other aspect of Welsh culture it is to be regarded for the purposes of section 58 as exercisable by the Minister of the Crown in relation to Wales.

Commencement Information

I151This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Cross-border functionsU.K.

3(1)The power conferred by section 58 to make an Order in Council about a function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to Wales includes power to make provision about a function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to—U.K.

(a)a cross-border body, or

(b)subject to sub-paragraph (2), an English border area.

(2)An Order in Council under section 58 may only include provision about a function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to an English border area if—

(a)the function relates to water resources management, water supply, rivers or other watercourses, control of pollution of water resources, sewerage or land drainage, and

(b)the Order in Council makes (or another such Order in Council has made) corresponding provision about the function so far as so exercisable in relation to a part of Wales adjoining England or the whole of Wales.

(3)This paragraph does not affect the power conferred by section 58 to make an Order in Council about a function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to the whole or any part of Wales.

Commencement Information

I152This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Functions exercisable beyond the territorial seaU.K.

4(1)The power conferred by section 58(1)(c) includes power to direct that any function under—U.K.

F150(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)Part 4 of the Petroleum Act 1998 (c. 17) (abandonment of offshore installations),

[F151(c)the provisions of Parts 4 and 8 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (marine licensing and enforcement) specified in sub-paragraph (1A), or

(d)regulations under section 73 of that Act (appeals),]

so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to Welsh controlled waters is to be exercisable by the Minister of the Crown only after consultation with the Welsh Ministers.

[F152(1A)The provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(c) are—

(a)sections 67(1) to (5), 69(1), (3) and (4), 71(1) to (3) and 72(1) to (3) (marine licences), so far as relating to items 1 to 6 and 11 to 13 in section 66(1) of that Act (licensable marine activities);

(b)section 101 (registers);

(c)sections 106 and 91(7)(c) (power to take remedial action, and power to require payment of sum representing reasonable expenses of taking such action);

(d)section 107 (power to test, and charge for testing, certain substances);

(e)sections 235(3) and 240(1)(c) (enforcement officers).]

(2)In this paragraph “Welsh controlled waters” means so much of the sea beyond the seaward boundary of the territorial sea as is adjacent to Wales.

(3)The power conferred by section 58(3) includes (in particular) power to determine, or make provision for determining, for the purposes of the definition of “Welsh controlled waters” any boundary between—

(a)the parts of the sea which are to be treated as adjacent to Wales, and

(b)those which are not,

including power to make different determinations or provision for different purposes; and an order under section 158(3) may include any provision that by virtue of this sub-paragraph may be included in an Order in Council under section 58.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I153This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 2 U.K.Exercise of transferred functions

[F56EU] obligationsU.K.

5U.K.Any power of a Minister of the Crown to make subordinate legislation which has been transferred by an Order in Council under section 58 continues to be exercisable by the Minister of the Crown (as it would be had it not been transferred) for the purpose of—

(a)implementing any [F56EU] obligation of the United Kingdom,

(b)enabling any such obligation to be implemented,

(c)enabling any rights enjoyed or to be enjoyed by the United Kingdom under or by virtue of [F56EU] Treaties to be exercised, or

(d)dealing with matters arising out of or related to any such obligation or rights or the operation of section 2(1) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68).

Commencement Information

I154This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Agreement or consultation: Ministers and ParliamentU.K.

6U.K.An Order in Council under section 58 which includes provision—

(a)transferring to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General any function so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown in relation to a cross-border body or an English border area, or

(b)directing that any function is to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in relation to a cross-border body or an English border area concurrently with the Minister of the Crown by whom it is exercisable,

may provide that (either generally or to such extent as may be specified in the Order in Council) the function may be exercised by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General only with the agreement of, or after consultation with, a Minister of the Crown.

Commencement Information

I155This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

7(1)This paragraph applies where a function is exercisable by a Minister of the Crown—U.K.

(a)only with the agreement of, or after consultation with, another Minister of the Crown, or

(b)only with the authorisation of Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(2)If an Order in Council under section 58 includes provision transferring the function to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General it is to be exercisable free from that requirement unless the Order in Council provides otherwise.

(3)If an Order in Council under that section includes provision directing that the function is to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General concurrently with the Minister of the Crown by whom it is exercisable, the Order in Council may provide that is to be exercisable free from that requirement.

Commencement Information

I156This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Agreement or consultation etc.: Assembly and Assembly CommissionU.K.

8(1)An Order in Council under section 58 may make provision for a function to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General only with the authorisation of, or after consultation with, the Assembly or the Assembly Commission.U.K.

(2)An Order in Council under section 58 making provision for a function to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General may, by virtue of subsection (3) of that section, require the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General—

(a)to lay a report before the Assembly, or

(b)to send documents to the Clerk,

in connection with the exercise of the function.

Commencement Information

I157This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Parliamentary and Assembly procedureU.K.

9(1)This paragraph applies where a function to make subordinate legislation (including a function conferred or imposed by or by virtue of this Act or an Act passed after this Act) is transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by an Order in Council under section 58.U.K.

(2)If, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of any of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (3) applied to its exercise by a Minister of the Crown—

(a)that provision does not apply to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General unless the case is one to which sub-paragraph (6) applies, but

(b)(whether or not the case is one to which that sub-paragraph applies) that provision has effect in relation to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General as if any reference in it to Parliament or either House of Parliament were (or, if it is such a case, included) a reference to the Assembly.

(3)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraph (2) are—

(a)provision requiring any instrument made in the exercise of the function, or a draft of any such instrument, to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament,

(b)provision for the annulment or approval of any such instrument or draft by or in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament or of both Houses, and

(c)provision prohibiting the making of any such instrument without such approval.

(4)If, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of either of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (5) applied to its exercise by a Minister of the Crown—

(a)that provision does not apply to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General unless the case is one to which sub-paragraph (6) or (7) applies, but

(b)(whether or not the case is one to which either of those sub-paragraphs applies) any instrument made in the exercise of the function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is (or, if it is such a case, is also) subject to the procedure in the Assembly specified by the standing orders.

(5)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraph (4) are—

(a)provision for any instrument made in the exercise of the function to be a provisional order (that is, an order which requires to be confirmed by Act of Parliament), and

(b)provision requiring any order (within the meaning of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 (9 & 10 Geo. 6 c. 18)) made in the exercise of the function to be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(6)This sub-paragraph applies in any case if the instrument made in the exercise of the function or (if provision specified in sub-paragraph (3)(a) or (b) applied to a draft of an instrument made in the exercise of the function) a draft of an instrument to be so made—

(a)contains subordinate legislation made or to be made by a Minister of the Crown or government department (whether or not jointly with the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General),

(b)contains (or confirms or approves) subordinate legislation relating to an English border area, or

(c)contains (or confirms or approves) subordinate legislation relating to a cross-border body (and not relating only to the exercise of functions, or the carrying on of activities, by the body in or with respect to Wales or a part of Wales).

(7)This sub-paragraph applies in any case if, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of the description specified in sub-paragraph (5)(b) applied to an instrument made in exercise of the function by a Minister of the Crown and the Order in Council provided that—

(a)any order made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in the exercise of the function, or

(b)any order so made in circumstances including those of the case,

is to be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(8)In this paragraph “make” includes confirm or approve and related expressions (except “made exercisable”) are to be construed accordingly; but an instrument (or draft) does not fall within sub-paragraph (6)(a) just because it contains subordinate legislation made (or to be made) by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General with the agreement of a Minister of the Crown or government department.

Commencement Information

I158This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Laying of reports and statementsU.K.

10(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make or receive a report or statement (including a function conferred or imposed by or by virtue of an Act passed after this Act) is transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by an Order in Council under section 58, and

(b)immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, any enactment made provision (“provision for Parliamentary laying”) for a report or statement made or received in the exercise of the function to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament by the person making or receiving it.

(2)The provision for Parliamentary laying applies to the exercise of the function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General as if it required the report or statement to be laid before the Assembly instead of before Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(3)In this paragraph references to a report or statement include any other document (except one containing subordinate legislation).

Commencement Information

I159This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Powers to lend moneyU.K.

11(1)This paragraph applies where a power to lend money (including a power conferred by or by virtue of an Act passed after this Act) is transferred to the Welsh Ministers by an Order in Council under section 58; but subject to any provision to the contrary in the Order in Council.U.K.

(2)Sub-paragraph (3) applies to any sums which, for the purpose or as a result of the exercise of the power, would be required (apart from that sub-paragraph)—

(a)to be issued by the Treasury out of the National Loans Fund, or

(b)to be paid into that Fund.

(3)Those sums are instead—

(a)to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund, or

(b)to be paid into that Fund.

(4)The following provisions apply where—

(a)the power was exercised by a Minister of the Crown before the transfer, and

(b)the sums required for the exercise of the power were issued by the Treasury out of the National Loans Fund.

(5)Any amount payable by way of repayment of, or of interest on, the loan is to be paid to the Welsh Ministers and into the Welsh Consolidated Fund (instead of to the Minister of the Crown and into the National Loans Fund).

(6)Amounts equal to those which are to be received by the Welsh Ministers in repayment of principal are to be treated as being loans made to the Welsh Ministers by the Secretary of State on the date of the transfer.

(7)Such loans are to be repaid to the Secretary of State at such times and by such methods, and interest is to be paid to the Secretary of State at such rates and at such times, as the Treasury may from time to time determine.

(8)Sums required to be paid to the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (7) are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(9)Sums received by the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (7) are to be paid into the National Loans Fund.

Commencement Information

I160This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 3 U.K.Supplementary

References to Minister of the Crown etc.U.K.

12U.K.References in section 58 and this Schedule to a Minister of the Crown include references to—

(a)two or more Ministers of the Crown acting jointly, and

(b)an officer of a Minister of the Crown or of a government department,

and, in relation to functions of such an officer, the references in section 58(1) and this Schedule to the Welsh Ministers include references to a member of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I161This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

SavingU.K.

13U.K.An Order in Council under section 58 which includes provision—

(a)transferring a function exercisable by a Minister of the Crown, or

(b)directing that a function is to be exercisable only with the agreement of, or after consultation with, any of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

does not affect the validity of anything done by or in relation to the Minister of the Crown before the coming into force of the Order in Council.

Commencement Information

I162This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Section 88

SCHEDULE 4U.K.Transfers of ministerial property, rights and liabilities

General transfer of property, rights and liabilitiesU.K.

1(1)The property, rights and liabilities to which, at the coming into force of an Order in Council under section 58, a Minister of the Crown is entitled or subject in connection with any function exercisable by the Minister of the Crown and transferred by the Order in Council are transferred to and vest in the transferee of the function.U.K.

(2)In this Schedule “the transferee”, in relation to a function transferred by an Order in Council under section 58, means whichever of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General may exercise the function by virtue of the Order in Council.

(3)Anything (including legal proceedings) which relates to—

(a)any function exercisable by a Minister of the Crown which is transferred by an Order in Council under section 58, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) as the result of the transfer of any such function by such an Order in Council,

and which is in the process of being done by or in relation to the Minister of the Crown immediately before the coming into force of the Order in Council may be continued by or in relation to the transferee of the function.

(4)Anything which was done by a Minister of the Crown for the purpose of or in connection with—

(a)any function exercisable by the Minister of the Crown which is transferred by an Order in Council under section 58, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) as the result of the transfer of any such function by such an Order in Council,

and which is in effect immediately before the coming into force of the Order in Council has effect as if done by the transferee of the function.

(5)In any instruments, contracts or legal proceedings which relate to—

(a)any function exercisable by a Minister of the Crown which is transferred by an Order in Council under section 58, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) as the result of the transfer of any such function by such an Order in Council,

and which are made or commenced before the coming into force of the Order in Council, the transferee of the function is substituted for the Minister of the Crown.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I163This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

2(1)An Order in Council under section 58 may provide that all or any of the provisions of paragraph 1—U.K.

(a)do not apply in relation to the transfer of functions by the Order in Council or to the property, rights and liabilities connected with the functions,

(b)are to apply only in relation to the transfer of particular functions by the Order in Council or to particular property, rights or liabilities connected with the functions transferred by the Order in Council,

(c)do not apply in relation to the transfer of particular functions by the Order in Council or to particular property, rights or liabilities connected with the functions transferred by the Order in Council, or

(d)apply with modifications in relation to the transfer of a particular function by the Order in Council or to particular property, rights or liabilities connected with the function transferred by the Order in Council in a case where, by virtue of provision made under section 58(2), there is more than one transferee of that function.

(2)Paragraph 1 does not apply to rights or liabilities relating to the employment of persons in Crown employment (as defined in section 191(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (c. 18)).

Commencement Information

I164This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Power to make specific transfers etc.U.K.

3(1)The Secretary of State may by order provide for the transfer to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of—U.K.

(a)any specified property, rights or liabilities, or

(b)property, rights or liabilities of any specified description,

to which a Minister of the Crown is entitled or subject.

(2)An order under sub-paragraph (1) may provide for the transfer of any property, rights or liabilities to have effect subject to exceptions or reservations specified in or determined under the order.

(3)An order under sub-paragraph (1) may provide—

(a)for the creation in favour of a Minister of the Crown of interests in, or rights over, property transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

(b)for the creation in favour of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of interests in, or rights over, property retained by a Minister of the Crown, or

(c)for the creation of new rights and liabilities between the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General on the one hand and a Minister of the Crown on the other.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the continuation by or in relation to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of—

(a)any specified thing, or

(b)anything of a specified description,

commenced by or in relation to a Minister of the Crown.

(5)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for—

(a)any specified thing, or

(b)anything of a specified description,

done by a Minister of the Crown to have effect as if done by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

(6)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the substitution of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General for any Minister of the Crown in—

(a)any specified instrument, contract or legal proceedings, or

(b)any instrument, contract or legal proceedings of a specified description.

(7)An order under this paragraph may be made in consequence of the making of an Order in Council under section 58 or in any other circumstances in which the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to make such an order.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I165This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

SupplementaryU.K.

4(1)A certificate issued by the Secretary of State that any property has been transferred by—U.K.

(a)paragraph 1, or

(b)an order under paragraph 3,

is conclusive evidence of the transfer.

(2)Paragraph 1, and orders under paragraph 3, have effect in relation to property, rights or liabilities to which they apply in spite of any provision (of whatever nature) which would otherwise prevent or restrict the transfer of the property, rights or liabilities.

Commencement Information

I166This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Section 94

SCHEDULE 5U.K.Assembly Measures

Part 1U.K.Matters

 

  • Field 1: agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development

    • [F153Matter 1.1

    • The red meat industry, in relation to–

    (a)

    increasing efficiency or productivity in the industry;

    (b)

    improving marketing in the industry;

    (c)

    improving or developing services that the industry provides or could provide to the community;

    (d)

    improving the ways in which the industry contributes to sustainable development.

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field “the red meat industry” means all of the activities comprised in–

      (a)

      breeding, keeping, processing, marketing and distributing cattle, sheep and pigs (alive or dead), and

      (b)

      producing, processing, marketing, manufacturing and distributing products derived to any substantial extent from those animals (apart from milk and milk products, fleece wool and hides).

    • For the purposes of this definition–“cattle” means bovine animals, including bison and buffalo;“pigs” means porcine animals, including wild boar and other feral pigs. ]

  • Field 2: ancient monuments and historic buildings

    • [F154Matter 2.1

    • The functions of local authorities in the support, improvement and promotion of the appreciation by the public of archaeological remains, ancient monuments, buildings and places of historical or architectural interest, and historic wrecks.

    • In this matter “local authorities” means the councils of counties and county boroughs in Wales.

  • Field 3: culture

    • [F155Matter 3.1

    • The functions of local authorities in the support, improvement and promotion of arts and crafts, museums and galleries, libraries, archives and historical records, and cultural activities and projects.

    • This matter does not include licensing of sale and supply of alcohol, provision of entertainment and late night refreshment.

    • In this matter “local authorities” means the councils of counties and county boroughs in Wales.

  • Field 4: economic development

  • Field 5: education and training

    • [F156Matter 5.1

    • Provision about the categories of school that may be maintained by [F157local authorities].

    • Matter 5.2

    • Provision about the establishment and discontinuance of schools maintained by [F157local authorities], their change from one category to another and their alteration in other respects.

    • [F158Matter 5.2A

    • Conduct and governance of schools maintained by local authorities, including the allocation of functions, property, rights and liabilities relating to such schools.

    • Matter 5.2B

    • Securing collaboration between persons or bodies with functions relating to schools maintained by local authorities.

    • Matter 5.2C

    The following activities by persons or bodies with functions relating to schools maintained by local authorities—

    (a)

    establishment of bodies to do all or any of the following—

    (i)

    carry out activities relating to education or training,

    (ii)

    exercise education functions on behalf of local authorities;

    (b)

    involvement with bodies mentioned in paragraph (a).]

    • Matter 5.3

    • Provision about the admission of pupils to schools maintained by [F157local authorities].

    • [F159Matter 5.4A

    • The regulation of—

      (a)

      schools that are not maintained by [F157local authorities];

      (b)

      relevant independent educational institutions.]

    • Matter 5.5

    • Provision about school attendance, the behaviour of pupils at school, school discipline and the exclusion of pupils from school (including the duties of parents in connection with those matters).

    • Matter 5.6

    • Provision about the making of arrangements for the provision of education for persons of compulsory school age who have been excluded from schools or who for any other reason would not otherwise receive suitable education.

    • Matter 5.7

    • Provision about entitlement to primary, secondary and further education and to training.

    • Matter 5.8

    • Provision about the provision of services that are intended to encourage, enable or assist people—

      (a)

      to participate effectively in education or training,

      (b)

      to take advantage of opportunities for employment, or

      (c)

      to participate effectively in the life of their communities.

    • Matter 5.9

    • Provision about food and drink provided on school premises or provided for children at a place where they receive education or childcare.

    • Matter 5.10

    • [F160Arrangements for persons to travel to and from the places where they receive education or training.

    • This matter applies to—

      (a)

      persons receiving nursery, primary, secondary or further education or training;

      (b)

      persons described in matter 5.17 receiving higher education.]

    • F161 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    • [F162Matter 5.11

    • Provision for and in connection with securing the provision of facilities for post-16 education or training.

    • Matter 5.12

    • Provision for and in connection with the establishment and dissolution of—

      (a)

      institutions concerned with the provision of further education, and

      (b)

      bodies that conduct such institutions,

      including the circumstances in which an educational institution becomes or ceases to be an institution concerned with the provision of further education.

    • Provision about—

      (a)

      the conduct and functions of such institutions and bodies that conduct such institutions;

      (b)

      the property, rights and liabilities of such institutions and bodies that conduct such institutions;

      (c)

      property held by any person for the purposes of such an institution;

      (d)

      the governance and staff of such institutions.

    • Matter 5.13

    • Provision for and in connection with securing collaboration—

    (a)

    between bodies that conduct institutions concerned with the provision of further education, or

    (b)

    between one or more such bodies and other persons or bodies that have functions relating to education or training in Wales,

    including, in particular, provision for and in connection with the establishment of bodies for the purpose of discharging functions on behalf of one or more persons or bodies that are party to arrangements for collaboration.

    • Matter 5.14

    • The provision of financial resources for and in connection with—

      (a)

      education or training provided by institutions concerned with the provision of further education;

      (b)

      post-16 education or training provided otherwise than by such institutions;

      (c)

      the carrying out of research relating to education or training falling within paragraph (a) or (b).

    • Matter 5.15

    • The inspection of—

      (za)

      [F163schools;

      (zb)

      relevant independent educational institutions;]

      (a)

      education or training provided by institutions concerned with the provision of further education;

      (b)

      [F164pre-16 education or training, or post-16 education or training, provided otherwise than by institutions within paragraphs (za) to (a);]

      (c)

      the training of teachers and specialist teaching assistants for schools;

      (d)

      services of the kinds mentioned in matter 5.8.

    • Matter 5.16

    • The provision of advice and information in connection with, and the carrying out of studies in relation to

      (a)

      [F165pre-16 education or training;

      (b)

      post-16 education or training;

      (c)

      the training of teachers and specialist teaching assistants for schools;

      (d)

      services of the kinds mentioned in matter 5.8.]]

    • [F166Matter 5.17

    • F167 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

    • [F168Matter 5.18

    • The provision of any of the following for children or young persons—

      (a)

      facilities for social or physical training;

      (b)

      educational activities.

      • In this matter “children” and “young persons” have the same meaning as in field 15. ]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • Expressions used in this field and in the Education Act 1996 have the same meaning in this field as in that Act.]

    • [F169In this field—

    • [F170nursery education” means education suitable for children who have not attained compulsory school age; ]

    • post-16 education” means—

      (a)

      education (other than higher education) suitable to the requirements of persons who are above compulsory school age, and

      (b)

      organised leisure-time occupation connected with such education;

    • post-16 training” means—

      (a)

      training suitable to the requirements of persons who are above compulsory school age, and

      (b)

      organised leisure-time occupation connected with such training.

    • [F171pre-16 education or training” means education or training suitable to the requirements of persons who are of or below compulsory school age;

    • relevant independent educational institution” means an institution other than a school which—

      (a)

      provides part-time education for one or more persons of compulsory school age (“part-time students”) whether or not it also provides full-time education for any person, and

      (b)

      would be an independent school but for the fact that the education provided for the part-time student or students is part-time rather than full-time.

    • For the purposes of the above definition of “relevant independent educational institution”, an institution provides “part-time” education for a person if—

    (a)

    it provides education for the person, and

    (b)

    the education does not amount to full-time education.]

    References in this field to an institution concerned with the provision of further education are references to an educational institution, other than a school or an institution within the higher education sector (within the meaning of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992), that is conducted (whether or not exclusively) for the purpose of providing further education.]

  • Field 6: environment

    • [F172Matter 6.1

    • Preventing, reducing, collecting, managing, treating or disposing of waste.

    • This matter does not include—

      (a)

      regulation of any activity in the sea;

      (b)

      regulation of the provision of postal services by a person who holds, or is required to hold, a licence from the Postal Services Commission authorising the person to convey letters from one place to another (whether or not the licence relates to the services).

    • See below for further provision about what this matter does not include.

    • Matter 6.2

    • Disposal of waste in the sea where the waste has been collected, managed or treated on land.

    • This matter does not include regulation of the following activities—

      (a)

      depositing any substance or object in the sea or on or under the seabed from any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, marine structure or floating container;

      (b)

      depositing any explosive substance or article in the sea or on or under the seabed;

      (c)

      incinerating any substance or object on any vehicle, vessel, marine structure or floating container.

    • See below for further provision about what this matter does not include.

    • Matter 6.3

    • Protecting or improving the environment in relation to pollution.

    • This matter does not include—

      (a)

      regulating the composition and content of fuel used in—

      (i)

      a means of transport,

      (ii)

      non-road mobile machinery, or

      (iii)

      an agricultural or forestry tractor;

      (b)

      obligations upon persons who supply transport fuel at or for delivery to places in the United Kingdom to produce evidence showing the supply of renewable transport fuel;

      (c)

      making provision regarding the proportion of renewable energy consumed in transport, including the imposition of requirements relating to sustainability that determine whether any particular renewable energy is to be counted towards any renewable energy obligation or target;

      (d)

      provision of financial support in connection with—

      (i)

      the production of renewable energy for consumption in transport, or

      (ii)

      the use of that energy in transport,

      including the imposition of requirements relating to sustainability that determine whether any particular renewable energy qualifies for financial support.

      (e)

      regulation of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in those parts of the territorial sea that are not relevant territorial waters.

    • See below for further provision about what this matter does not include.

    • Matter 6.4

    • Protecting or improving the environment in relation to nuisances.

    • This matter does not include—

      (a)

      imposition of criminal or civil liability in respect of energy nuisances that consist of acts, omissions and states of affairs for which there is statutory authority, except criminal or civil liability which the Welsh Ministers have power to impose;

      (b)

      removal of relevant defences to, or relevant exclusions from, rules of law which impose civil or criminal liability in respect of energy nuisances, except those defences and exceptions which the Welsh Ministers have power to remove;

      (c)

      regulation of the emission of smoke, artificial light or noise from military premises;

      (d)

      regulation of gas activities, oil activities, and infrastructure that is necessary for carrying out any such activities;

      (e)

      regulation of oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the sea;

      (f)

      regulation of electronic communications and electronic communications networks.

    • See below for further provision about what this matter does not include.

    • Not included in matters 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4

    • Matters 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 do not include any of the following—

      (a)

      regulation concerning the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (this exception is to be interpreted in accordance with Council Directive 96/82/ EC F173 and it relates only to activity within the scope of that Directive);

      (b)

      regulation of the decommissioning of offshore energy installations and related infrastructure.

      Not included in matters 6.1 and 6.2

    • Matters 6.1 and 6.2 do not include any of the following—

      (a)

      regulation of decommissioned explosives that are outside the scope of the Waste Directive by virtue of [F174Article 2(1)(b)(v)][F174Article 2(1)(e)] of the Waste Directive and are or have been—

      (i)

      held on behalf of the Crown for naval, military or air force purposes or for the purposes of the department of the Secretary of State having responsibility for defence, or

      (ii)

      held by or for the purposes of visiting forces;

      (b)

      regulation of radioactive material that is at military premises;

      (c)

      regulation of the capture, conveyance or disposal of carbon dioxide as part of relevant carbon capture and storage.

      Not included in matters 6.3 and 6.4

    • Matters 6.3 and 6.4 do not include any of the following—

      (a)

      regulation of the contained use of genetically modified organisms;

      (b)

      regulation of the following activities in the sea—

      (i)

      depositing any substance or object in the sea or on or under the seabed from any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, marine structure or floating container, or any structure on land constructed or adapted wholly or mainly for the purpose of depositing solids in the sea;

      (ii)

      scuttling any vessel or floating container;

      (iii)

      constructing, altering or improving works in or over the sea or on or under the seabed;

      (iv)

      using any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, marine structure or floating container to remove any substance or object from the seabed;

      (v)

      dredging;

      (vi)

      depositing or using any explosive substance or article in the sea or on or under the seabed;

      (vii)

      incinerating any substance or object on any vehicle, vessel, marine structure or floating container;

      (c)

      marine licensing under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009F175.

      Meaning of “pollution

    • In this field “pollution” means pollution of the air, water or land which may give rise to any environmental harm, including (but not limited to) pollution caused by light, noise, heat or vibrations or any other kind of release of energy.

    • For the purposes of this definition “air” includes (but is not limited to) air within buildings and air within other natural or man-made structures above or below ground. Meaning of “nuisance”

    • In this field “nuisance” means an act or omission affecting any place, or a state of affairs in any place, which may impair, or interfere with, the amenity of the environment or any legitimate use of the environment, apart from an act, omission or state of affairs that constitutes pollution. Meaning of “relevant defence” and “relevant exclusion”

    • In matter 6.4, in relation to a rule of law which imposes civil or criminal liability in respect of an energy nuisance (“the unlawful nuisance”)—“relevant defence” means statutory removal (however expressed, and whether conditional or not) of the civil or criminal liability in respect of an act, omission or state of affairs that is within the scope of the unlawful nuisance;“relevant exclusion” means statutory exclusion (however expressed, and whether conditional or not) of an act, omission or state of affairs from the scope of the unlawful nuisance.

    • In those definitions, a reference to the scope of the unlawful nuisance is a reference to the class of acts, omissions and states of affairs that constitutes the unlawful nuisance. Other interpretation of this field

    • In this field— “electricity activity” means any of the following—

      (a)

      generating electricity at a generating station whose construction, extension or operation requires—

      (i)

      the consent of the Secretary of State, or

      (ii)

      the authority of an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008 F176 ;

      (b)

      transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity;

      and for this purpose, the reference to consent of the Secretary of State is a reference to consent under powers to regulate generation of electricity; “electronic communication” means a communication transmitted—

      (a)

      by means of an electronic communications network, or

      (b)

      by other means but while in an electronic form;

      electronic communications network” means—

      (a)

      a transmission system for the conveyance, by the use of electrical, magnetic or electro-magnetic energy, of signals of any description, and

      (b)

      such of the following as are used, by the person providing the system and in association with it, for the conveyance of the signals—

      (i)

      apparatus comprised in the system,

      (ii)

      apparatus used for the switching or routing of the signals, and

      (iii)

      software and stored data;

      energy nuisance” means a nuisance that relates to electricity activities, gas activities, oil activities, or infrastructure that is necessary for carrying out any such activities;“environmental harm” means any of the following—

      (a)

      harm to the health of humans and other living organisms;

      (b)

      harm to the quality of the environment, including—

      (i)

      harm to the quality of the environment taken as a whole,

      (ii)

      harm to the quality of the air, water or land, and

      (iii)

      other impairment of, or interference with, the ecological systems of which any living organisms form part;

      (c)

      offence to the senses of human beings;

      (d)

      damage to property;

      (e)

      impairment of, or interference with, the amenity of the environment or any legitimate use of the environment;

      gas activity” means storing, conveying or supplying gas, except any such activity that is carried out by an individual for the domestic purposes of the individual; “marine structure” means a platform or other artificial structure at sea, other than a pipeline; “military premises” means premises which are—

      (a)

      occupied on behalf of the Crown for naval, military or air force purposes or for the purposes of the department of the Secretary of State having responsibility for defence, or

      (b)

      occupied by or for the purposes of visiting forces;

      offshore energy installation” means any of the following installations that are maintained in the sea or on the foreshore or other land intermittently covered with water, and that are not connected with dry land by a permanent structure providing access at all times and for all purposes—

      (a)

      installations used for oil activities, gas activities or for the exploration or exploitation of gas or oil;

      (b)

      carbon dioxide storage installations;

      (c)

      renewable energy installations;

      oil activity” means storing, conveying or supplying oil, except any such activity that is carried out by an individual for the domestic purposes of the individual; “relevant carbon capture and storage” means the capture and underground disposal of carbon dioxide by a method in which the carbon dioxide is captured at the place of its production and conveyed for disposal by pipeline directly from the place of production to a place of underground disposal; “relevant territorial waters” means the waters which extend seaward for three miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to Wales is measured; but any order made under section 104(4)(a) of the Water Resources Act 1991 F177 for the purposes of Part 3 of that Act in relation to an area of the territorial sea adjacent to Wales also applies for the purposes of determining what are relevant territorial waters for the purposes of this field;“sea” means (except where the context otherwise requires) the sea adjacent to Wales out as far as the seaward boundary of the territorial sea; “statutory” means arising by virtue of an Act; “visiting force” means any such body, contingent or detachment of the forces of any country as is a visiting force for the purposes of any of the provisions of the Visiting Forces Act 1952; [F178“Waste Directive” means Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on waste, as it was originally adopted. ] [F178 “Waste Directive” means Directive 2008/98/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste. ] .

    • An order or an Order in Council made under or by virtue of section 158(3) or (4) for the purposes of that section also applies for the purpose of determining any boundary between the parts of the sea which are to be treated as adjacent to Wales for the purposes of this field and those which are not.]

  • Field 7: fire and rescue services and promotion of fire safety

  • Field 8: food

  • Field 9: health and health services

    • [F179Matter 9.1

    • Provision for and in connection with the provision of redress without recourse to civil proceedings in circumstances in which, under the law of England and Wales, qualifying liability in tort arises in connection with the provision of services (in Wales or elsewhere) as part of the health service in Wales.

    • [F180Matter 9.2

    • Assessment of mental health and treatment of mental disorder.

    • This matter does not include any of the following—

      (a)

      subjecting patients to—

      (i)

      compulsory attendance at any place for the purposes of assessment or treatment,

      (ii)

      compulsory supervision, or

      (iii)

      guardianship;

      (b)

      consent to assessment or treatment;

      (c)

      restraint;

      (d)

      detention.

    • For the purposes of this matter, “treatment of mental disorder” means treatment to alleviate, or prevent a worsening of, a mental disorder or one or more of its symptoms or manifestations; and it includes (but is not limited to) nursing, psychological intervention, habilitation, rehabilitation and care. ]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

      • the health service in Wales” means the health service continued under section 1(1) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;

      • illness” has the same meaning as in that Act;

      • [F181mental disorder” means any disorder or disability of the mind, apart from dependence on alcohol or drugs;]

      • patient” has the same meaning as in that Act;

      • personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person's physical or mental health;

      • qualifying liability in tort” means liability in tort owed in respect of or consequent upon personal injury or loss arising out of or in connection with breach of a duty of care owed to any person in connection with the diagnosis of illness or the care or treatment of any patient. ]

  • Field 10: highways and transport

    • [F182Matter 10.1

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      (a)

      the making, operation and enforcement of schemes for imposing charges in respect of the use or keeping of motor vehicles on Welsh trunk roads;

      (b)

      the application of the proceeds of charges imposed under such schemes towards purposes relating to transport.

    • F183 . . .

    • [F184Matter 10.2

    • Concessionary travel on the following services—

    (a)

    bus services;

    (b)

    Welsh services provided under a franchise agreement to which the Welsh Ministers are a party.

    • Any expression which is used in paragraph (b) and the Railways Act 2005 has the meaning given in that Act.]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

      • motor vehicle” has the meaning given in section 185(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, except that section 189 of that Act (exception for certain pedestrian controlled vehicles and electrically assisted pedal cycles) applies as it applies for the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts;

      • road” has the same meaning as in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

      • Welsh trunk road” means a road for which the Welsh Ministers are the traffic authority (within the meaning of section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984). ]

  • Field 11: housing

    • [F185Matter 11.1

    • The provision of automatic fire suppression systems in new residential premises. In this matter “new residential premises” means—

    (a)

    premises newly constructed for residential use;

    (b)

    premises newly converted to residential use;

    (c)

    premises converted to use as one or more new residences by subdivision of one or more existing residences; and

    (d)

    premises converted to use as one or more new residences by amalgamation of one or more existing residences.]

    • [F186Matter 11.2

    • Social housing providers.

    • Matter 11.3

    • Relevant social housing bodies.

    • Matter 11.4

    • Tenure of rented social housing and other arrangements under which social housing is provided.

    • Matter 11.5

    • Disposals of—

    (a)

    social housing,

    (b)

    land held or used for the purposes of, or in connection with, social housing, and

    (c)

    land to which a provision of any of the following enactments applies—

    (i)

    Part 2 of the Housing Act 1985;

    (ii)

    Part 5 of the Housing Act 1985;

    (iii)

    Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996;

    (iv)

    Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996;

    (v)

    Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008

    (insofar as the disposal does not fall within paragraph (a) or (b) of this matter).

    • Matter 11.6

    • Provision of advice and non-financial assistance to individuals in respect of their obtaining, and living in, housing.

    • This matter includes, in particular, advice and non-financial assistance in respect of skills that are relevant to the ability to live independently, or more independently, in housing.

    • Matter 11.7

    • Provision by local authorities of caravan sites for use by Gypsies and Travellers.

    • Matter 11.8

    • Homelessness.

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

    • caravan site” means—

      (a)

      land on which a caravan or other mobile accommodation (apart from a tent) is stationed for the purposes of human habitation, and

      (b)

      land which is used in conjunction with land falling within paragraph (a) of this definition;

    • local authority” means a county council or a county borough council in Wales;

    • relevant social housing body” means a person (if, or insofar as, it is not a social housing provider) which has functions relating to—

      (a)

      social housing providers, or

      (b)

      social housing;

      but such a person is a relevant social housing body only insofar as the person has functions relating to social housing providers or social housing;

    • social housing” means any housing provided by a social housing provider;

    • social housing provider” means—

      (a)

      a local authority, and

      (b)

      a person (other than a local authority) which—

      (i)

      provides housing to, or

      (ii)

      has functions relating to allocation of housing to,

      people whose needs are not adequately served by the commercial housing market;

      but a local authority or such other person is a social housing provider only insofar as it provides, or has functions relating to allocation of, housing.]

  • Field 12: local government

    • [F187Matter 12.1

    • F188 . . .

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      • (a) the constitution of new principal areas and the abolition or alteration of existing principal areas, and

      • (b) the establishment of councils for new principal areas and the abolition of existing principal councils.

    • Matter 12.2

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      (a)

      the procedure for the making and coming into force of byelaws, and

      (b)

      the enforcement of byelaws.

    • Byelaws” means those of a class which may be confirmed by the Welsh Ministers (but the provision which may be made includes provision to remove a requirement of confirmation).

    • Matter 12.3

    • Any of the following—

      (a)

      the principles which are to govern the conduct of members of relevant authorities,

      (b)

      codes of conduct for such members,

      (c)

      the conferral on any person of functions relating to the promotion or maintenance of high standards of conduct of such members (including the establishment of bodies to have such functions),

      (d)

      the making or handling of allegations that members (or former members) of relevant authorities have breached standards of conduct, including in particular—

      (i)

      the investigation and adjudication of such allegations and reports on the outcome of investigations,

      (ii)

      the action that may be taken where breaches are found to have occurred,

      (e)

      codes of conduct for employees of relevant authorities.

    • For the purposes of this matter—

      • relevant authority” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000, except that other than in paragraph (d) it does not include a police authority,

      • member” includes a co-opted member within the meaning of that Part.

    • Matter 12.4

    • Provision for and in connection with strategies of county councils and county borough councils for promoting or improving the economic, social or environmental well-being of their areas or contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom, including provision imposing requirements in connection with such strategies on other persons with functions of a public nature.

    • Matter 12.5

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      (a)

      the making of arrangements by relevant Welsh authorities to secure improvement in the way in which their functions are exercised,

      (b)

      the making of arrangements by relevant Welsh authorities for the involvement in the exercise of their functions of people who are likely to be affected by, or interested in, the exercise of the functions, and

      (c)

      the assessment and inspection of the performance of relevant Welsh authorities in exercising their functions.

    • The following are “relevant Welsh authorities”—

      (a)

      a county council, county borough council or community council in Wales,

      (b)

      a National Park authority for a National Park in Wales,

      (c)

      a fire and rescue authority in Wales constituted by a scheme under section 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 or a scheme to which section 4 of that Act applies,

      (d)

      a levying body within the meaning of section 74(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 in respect of which the county council or charging authority referred to in section 74(1)(b) of that Act was a council or authority for an area in Wales,

      (e)

      a body to which section 75 of that Act applies (special levies) and which as regards the financial year beginning in 1989 had power to levy a rate by reference to property in Wales.]

    • [F189Matter 12.6

    • This matter does not include—

      (a)

      direct elections to executives of principal councils, or

      (b)

      the creation of a form of executive requiring direct elections.

    • For the purposes of this matter—

      (a)

      executive arrangements” has the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000;

      (b)

      F190 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      (c)

      direct elections” means elections by local government electors (within the meaning of section 270(1) of the Local Government Act 1972).

    • Arrangements by principal councils with respect to the discharge of their functions, including executive arrangements.]

    • [F191Matter 12.7

    • Committees of principal councils with functions of—

      (a)

      review or scrutiny, or

      (b)

      making reports or recommendations.

    • This matter does not include committees under section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006 (crime and disorder committees).

    • F192 . . . ]

    • [F193Matter 12.8

    • Areas of communities and constitution, structure, and procedures of local government institutions for communities.

    • Matter 12.9

    • Electoral arrangements for elected local government institutions for communities. In this matter “electoral arrangements” does not include—

      (a)

      the local government franchise;

      (b)

      electoral registration and administration;

      (c)

      the voting system for the return of members in an election.

    • Matter 12.10

    • Conferral on local government institutions for communities of powers—

      (a)

      to which this matter applies,

      (b)

      that are exercisable in relation to their areas, and

      (c)

      that are powers exercisable by principal councils in relation to principal areas.

      This matter applies to powers to do anything which the holder of the power considers likely to promote or improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of an area.

    • Matter 12.11

    • Grants from the Welsh Ministers to fund local government for communities.

    • Matter 12.12

    • Relations between different communities (and their local government institutions), or between communities (and their local government institutions) and principal councils.

    • Matter 12.13

    • Schemes for the accreditation of quality in local government for communities.

    • Matter 12.14

    • Public participation in local government for communities (apart from elections).

    • Matter 12.15

    • The provision of information relating to local government to the public. For the purposes of this matter “local government” means—

      (a)

      local government for communities;

      (b)

      local government for counties and county boroughs.

    • Matter 12.16

    • Salaries, allowances, pensions and other payments for members of the following—

      (a)

      local government institutions for communities;

      (b)

      county councils and county borough councils;

      (c)

      National Park authorities;

      (d)

      fire and rescue authorities constituted by schemes under section 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 or schemes to which section 4 of that Act apply.

    • Matter 12.17

    • Promoting and supporting membership of the following—

      (a)

      local government institutions for communities;

      (b)

      county councils and county borough councils.

    • [F194Matter 12.18

    • Council tax payable in respect of dwellings that are not the main residence of an individual.]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field— “communities” means separate areas for the administration of local government, each of which is wholly within a principal area (but does not constitute the whole of a principal area); “principal area” means a county borough or a county; “principal council” means a council for a principal area. ]

  • Field 13: National Assembly for Wales

    • Matter 13.1

    • Creation of, and conferral of functions on, an office or body for and in connection with investigating complaints about the conduct of Assembly members and reporting on the outcome of such investigations to the Assembly.

    • Matter 13.2

    • Conferral of functions on the Assembly Commission for and in connection with facilitating the exercise by the Assembly of its functions (including the provision to the Assembly of the property, staff and services required for the Assembly's purposes).

    • Matter 13.3

    • Provision for and in connection with the payment of salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities to or in respect of Assembly members, the First Minister, any Welsh Minister appointed under section 48, the Counsel General and any Deputy Welsh Minister.

    • Matter 13.4

    • Provision for and in connection with the creation and maintenance of a register of interests of Assembly members and the Counsel General.

    • Matter 13.5

    • Provision about the meaning of Welsh words and phrases in—

      (a)

      Assembly Measures,

      (b)

      subordinate legislation made under Assembly Measures, and

      (c)

      subordinate legislation not so made but made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

    • Matter 13.6

    • Provision for and in connection with the procedures for dealing with proposed private Assembly Measures, including, in particular—

      (a)

      procedures for hearing the promoters of, and objectors, to proposed private Assembly Measures,

      (b)

      the persons who may represent such promoters and objectors, and the qualifications that such persons must possess,

      (c)

      the imposition of fees for and in connection with the promotion of proposed private Assembly Measures, and

      (d)

      the assessment of costs incurred in connection with proposed private Assembly Measures.

  • Field 14: public administration

    • [F195Matter 14.1 The following provision relating to the Auditor General—

      (a)

      the following aspects of the Auditor General's terms of appointment—

      (i)

      the period of the appointment;

      (ii)

      salary, allowances and superannuation benefits;

      (iii)

      pensions and gratuities payable after a person has ceased to be Auditor General;

      (b)

      the number of times a person may be appointed as Auditor General;

      (c)

      restrictions on the other offices and positions which may be held by the Auditor General;

      (d)

      activities of a person who has been (but no longer is) Auditor General;

      (e)

      provision requiring the Auditor General—

      (i)

      to aim to do things efficiently and cost-effectively;

      (ii)

      to have regard, as the Auditor General considers appropriate, to the standards and principles that an expert professional provider of accounting or auditing services would be expected to follow;

      (f)

      the authorisation of persons to exercise functions of the Auditor General on the Auditor General's behalf (including during a vacancy in the office);

      (g)

      the oversight or supervision of the Auditor General or of the exercise of the Auditor General's functions;

      (h)

      the provision or use of resources for the purposes of the Auditor General's functions including (in particular)—

      (i)

      the employment and use of staff;

      (ii)

      the procurement and use of services;

      (iii)

      the holding of documents or information;

      (iv)

      the keeping of records;

      (i)

      the charging of fees or other amounts in relation to functions of—

      (i)

      the Auditor General, or

      (ii)

      auditors appointed by the Auditor General under an enactment;

      (j)

      the restatement of any law relating to the Auditor General.]

  • Field 15: social welfare

    • [F196Matter 15.1

    • Charges levied by local authorities for social care services provided or secured by them and payments in respect of individuals with needs relating to their well-being so that they, or persons looking after them, may secure social care services to meet those needs.

    • This matter does not include [F197 charges and payments for residential care. ] F198 . . . ]

    • [F199Matter 15.2

    • Functions of public authorities relating to—

      (a)

      safeguarding children from harm and neglect;

      (b)

      safeguarding and promoting the well-being of vulnerable children;

      (c)

      reducing inequalities in well-being between children or young persons.

    • This matter applies to the functions of public authorities whose pricipal functions relate to any one or more of the fields in this Part.

    • Matter 15.3

    • Adoption services and special guardianship support services.

    • Matter 15.4

    • Fostering.

    • Matter 15.5

    • Social care services for any of the following—

      (a)

      children;

      (b)

      persons who care for, or who are about to care for, children;

      (c)

      young persons;

      (d)

      persons formerly looked after—

      (i)

      who have attained the age of 25, and

      (ii)

      who, immediately before attaining that age, have been pursuing, or intending to pursue, education or training.

    • Matter 15.6

    • Co-operation and arrangements to safeguard and promote the well-being of children or young persons.

    • This matter applies to co-operation by, and arrangements made by, —

      (a)

      public authorities whose principal functions relate to any one or more of the fields in this part;

      (b)

      police authorities and chief officers of police for police areas in Wales;

      (c)

      the British Transport Police Authority;

      (d)

      local probation boards for areas in Wales;

      (e)

      the Secretary of State, in relation to the Secretary of State''s functions under sections 2 and 3 of the Offender Management Act 2007, or any provider of probation services under arrangements made under section 3(2) of that Act;

      (f)

      youth offending teams for areas in Wales;

      (g)

      the governors of prisons, young offender institutions or secure training centres in Wales (or, in the case of contracted out prisons, young offender institutions or secure training centres or contracted out parts of such institutions, their directors);

      (h)

      persons other than public authorities who are engaged in activities relating to the well-being of children or young persons.

    • Matter 15.7

    • Planning by local authorities for the discharge of their functions relating to the well-being of children or young persons.

    • Matter 15.8

    • Continuing, dissolving or creating an office or body concerned with safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children or young persons; the functions of such an office or body, including in particular—

      (a)

      reviewing the effect on children or young persons of the exercise by any person of functions related to their well-being;

      (b)

      reviewing and monitoring—

      (i)

      advocacy services;

      (ii)

      arrangements for dealing with complaints and representations made by, or on behalf of, children or young persons in respect of persons with functions related to their well-being or persons providing them with social care services;

      (c)

      examining cases of particular children or young persons;

      (d)

      considering, and making representations about, any matter affecting the well-being of children or young persons.

    • [F200Matter 15.9

    • Supporting the provision of care by carers and promoting the well-being of carers.

    • This matter includes (but is not limited to) social care services to help carers.

    • In this matter “carers” means individuals who provide or intend to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis for—

      (a)

      a child with a physical or mental impairment, or

      (b)

      an individual aged 18 or over,

      but it does not include individuals who provide or intend to provide care—

      (a)

      by virtue of a contract of employment or other contract with any person, or

      (b)

      as a volunteer for a body (whether or not incorporated)]

    • [F201Matter 15.10

    • Social care services connected to mental health.

    • This matter does not include the independent mental capacity advocacy services established by Part 1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

    • [F202advocacy services” means services providing assistance (by way of representation or otherwise) in connection with the well-being of any person;]

    • children” means persons who have not attained the age of 18;

    • development” means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development;

    • health” means physical or mental health;

    • local authorities” means the councils of counties or county boroughs in Wales;

    • persons formerly looked after” means persons who, at any time before attaining the age of 18—

      (a)

      have been in the care of a public authority, or

      (b)

      have been provided with accommodation by a public authority in order to secure their well-being;

    • public authorities” means each public authority within the meaning of section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, apart from courts or tribunals;

    • social care services” means any of the following provided in connection with the well-being of any person: residential or non-residential care services; [F203information,] advice, counselling or advocacy services; financial or any other assistance;

    • vulnerable children” means children—

      (a)

      who are unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for them of social care services,

      (b)

      whose health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for them of social care services,

      (c)

      who have a physical or mental impairment,

      (d)

      who are in the care of a public authority, or

      (e)

      who are provided with accommodation by a public authority in order to secure their well-being;

    • well-being ”, in relation to individuals, means well-being so far as relating to any of the following—

      (a)

      health and emotional well-being;

      (b)

      protection from harm and neglect;

      (c)

      education, training and recreation;

      (d)

      the contribution made by them to society;

      (e)

      social and economic well-being;

      (f)

      securing their rights;

    • young persons” means persons who have attained the age of 18 but not the age of 25.]

  • Field 16: sport and recreation

    • [F204Matter 16.1

    • The provision of recreational facilities and activities for children or young persons.

    • In this matter “children” and “young persons” have the same meaning as in field 15.]

    • [F205Matter 16.2

    • The establishment and maintenance of a route (or a number of routes) for the coast to enable the public to make recreational journeys.

    • This matter does not include—

      (a)

      enabling the public to make journeys by mechanically propelled vehicles (except permitted journeys by qualifying invalid carriages);

      (b)

      the creation of new highways (whether under the Highways Act 1980 or otherwise).

    • Matter 16.3

    • Securing public access to relevant land for the purposes of open-air recreation.

    • Land is relevant land if it—

      (a)

      is at the coast,

      (b)

      can be used for the purposes of open-air recreation in association with land within paragraph (a), or

      (c)

      can be used for the purposes of open-air recreation in association with a route within matter 16.2.

    • In this matter the reference to land at the coast is not limited to coastal land within the meaning of section 3 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

    • [F206Matter 16.4

    • The functions of local authorities in the support, improvement and promotion of sport and recreational activities.

    • This matter does not include licensing of sale and supply of alcohol, provision of entertainment and late night refreshment.]

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

      • coast” means the coast of Wales adjacent to the sea, including the coast of any island (in the sea) comprised in Wales;

      • estuarial waters” means any waters within the limits of transitional waters within the meaning of the Water Framework Directive (that is to say, Directive 2000/60/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy);

      • highway” has the same meaning as in the Highways Act 1980;

      • [F207local authorities” means the councils of counties and county boroughs in Wales;]

      • public foot crossing”, in relation to a river, means a bridge over which, or tunnel through which, there is a public right of way, or a public right of access, by virtue of which the public are able to cross the river on foot;

      • qualifying invalid carriage” means an invalid carriage within the meaning of section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (use of invalid carriages on highways) which complies with the prescribed requirements within the meaning of that section;

      • relevant upstream waters ”, in relation to a river, means the waters from the seaward limit of the estuarial waters of the river upstream to the first public foot crossing;

      • sea” includes the relevant upstream waters of a river;

    • and a journey by a qualifying invalid carriage is a permitted journey if the carriage is being used in accordance with the prescribed conditions within the meaning of section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.]

  • Field 17: tourism

  • Field 18: town and country planning

    • [F208Matter 18.1

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      (a)

      plans of the Welsh Ministers in relation to the development and use of land in Wales, and

      (b)

      removing requirements for any such plans.

      This does not include provision about the status to be given to any such plans in connection with the decision on an application for an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008.

    • Matter 18.2

    • Provision for and in connection with the review by local planning authorities of matters which may be expected to affect—

      (a)

      the development of the authorities' areas, or

      (b)

      the planning of the development of the authorities' areas.

    • Matter 18.3

    • Provision for and in connection with—

      (a)

      plans of local planning authorities in relation to the development and use of land in their areas, and

      (b)

      removing requirements for any such plans.

    • This does not include provision about the status to be given to any such plans in connection with the decision on an application for an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008.

    • Interpretation of this field

    • In this field—

    • local planning authority” in relation to an area means—

      (a)

      a National Park authority, in relation to a National Park in Wales;

      (b)

      a county council in Wales or a county borough council, in any other case;

    • Wales” has the meaning given by Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978.]

  • Field 19: water and flood defence

  • Field 20: Welsh language

  • [F209Matter 20.1

  • Promoting or facilitating the use of the Welsh language; and the treatment of the Welsh and English languages on the basis of equality.

  • This matter does not include the use of the Welsh language in courts.

  • This matter does not include imposing duties on persons other than the following—

    (a)

    public authorities;

    (b)

    persons providing services to the public under an agreement, or in accordance with arrangements, made with a public authority;

    (c)

    persons providing services to the public established by an enactment;

    (d)

    persons established by prerogative instrument—

    (i)

    to advance learning and knowledge by teaching or research or by developing or awarding qualifications;

    (ii)

    to collect, preserve or provide access to recorded knowledge or to objects and things which further understanding;

    (iii)

    to support, improve, promote or provide access to heritage, culture, sport or recreational activities;

    (iv)

    engaged in promoting a wider knowledge and representing the interests of Wales to other countries;

    (v)

    engaged in central banking;

    (e)

    persons upon whom functions of providing services to the public are conferred or imposed by an enactment;

    (f)

    persons providing services to the public who receive public money amounting to £400,000 or more in a financial year;

    (g)

    persons overseeing the regulation of a profession, industry or other similar sphere of activity;

    (h)

    providers of social housing;

    (i)

    persons providing the public with the following kinds of services or with other services which relate to any of those services—

    (i)

    gas, water or electricity services (including supply or distribution);

    (ii)

    sewerage services (including disposal of sewage);

    (iii)

    postal services and post offices;

    (iv)

    telecommunications services;

    (v)

    education, training (where the provider receives public money for its provision), or career guidance, and services to encourage, enable or assist participation in education, training or career guidance;

    (vi)

    bus and railway services;

    (vii)

    services to develop or award educational or vocational qualifications;

    (j)

    persons opting or agreeing to be subject to the imposition of the duties.

  • With regard to imposing duties in relation to paragraph (b), this matter only includes duties in respect of services to the public provided under an agreement, or in accordance with arrangements, made with a public authority.

  • A person who receives public money amounting to £400,000 or more in a financial year does not fall within paragraph (f) unless—

    (a)

    that person also received public money in a previous financial year, or

    (b)

    a decision has been made that that person will receive public money in a subsequent financial year.

  • With regard to imposing duties in relation to paragraph (i)—

    (a)

    this matter only includes duties in respect of the services and the other related services mentioned, and

    (b)

    in respect of the related services, this matter does not include the provision of related services in a shop, other than post office counter services and the sale of tickets or provision of timetables for bus and railway services.

  • This matter does not include imposing duties about broadcasting.

  • This matter does not include imposing duties on a person (other than on a Welsh language authority) unless there is a means for that person to challenge those duties, as they apply to that person, on grounds of reasonableness and proportionality.

  • Matter 20.2

  • Provision about or in connection with the freedom of persons wishing to use the Welsh language to do so with one another (including any limitations upon it).

  • Interpretation of this field

  • In this field— “broadcasting” means the commissioning, production, scheduling, transmission or distribution of programmes (including advertisements, subtitles, continuity announcements and teletext), access services, interactivity, online content and other output of a similar nature for television, radio, the internet or other online or wireless platforms; “bus service” means a scheduled service, by public service vehicle (within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981), for the carriage of passengers at separate fares, other than a service—

    (a)

    for which the whole capacity of the vehicle has been purchased by a charterer for the charterer's own use or for resale;

    (b)

    which is a journey or trip organised privately by any person acting independently of the vehicle operator; or

    (c)

    on which the passengers travel together on a journey, with or without breaks and whether or not on the same day, from one or more places to one or more places and back;

    enactment” includes any future enactment; “shop” means any premises where the sale of goods is the principal trade or business carried on;“postal services” means the service of conveying letters, parcels, packets or other articles from one place to another by post and the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sorting and delivering such articles; “public authority” means each public authority within the meaning of section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998; “public money” means—

    (a)

    moneys made available directly or indirectly by—

    (i)

    the National Assembly for Wales;

    (ii)

    the Welsh Ministers;

    (iii)

    Parliament;

    (iv)

    Ministers of the Crown; or

    (v)

    an institution of the [F210European Union];

    (b)

    moneys provided by virtue of any enactment;

    telecommunications service” means any service that consists of providing access to, or facilities for making use of, any system which exists (whether wholly or partly in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) for the purpose of facilitating the transmission of communications by any means involving the use of electrical, magnetic or electro-magnetic energy (including the apparatus comprised in the system), but does not include broadcasting, radio, or television; “Welsh language authority” means a person upon whom an enactment confers or imposes functions of—

    (a)

    imposing or enforcing on other persons duties relating to the Welsh language,

    (b)

    determining the duties relating to the Welsh language that are imposed on other persons, or

    (c)

    deciding challenges to the duties relating to the Welsh language that are imposed on other persons.]

F211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]]

Textual Amendments

F156Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 5: Matters 5.1-5.10 and "Interpretation of this field" words inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of Framework Powers) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/910), art. 3 (with art. 2), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see art. 1(2) of the amending Order and s. 161(5) of this Act.

F159Sch. 5 Pt. 1: Matter 5.4A inserted (26.1.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 149, 173(2)(a)

F162Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 5: Matters 5.11-5.16 inserted (23.12.2007) by Further Education and Training Act 2007 (c. 25), ss. 27, 32(2)

F163Words in Sch. 5 Pt. 1 inserted (26.1.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 149, 173

F164Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 5: words in Matter 5.16 substituted (26.1.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 149, 173

F165Words in Sch. 5 Pt. 1 substituted (26.1.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 149, 173

F169Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 5: words inserted (23.12.2007) by Further Education and Training Act 2007 (c. 25), ss. 27, 32(2)

F171Sch. 5 Pt. 1: definition inserted (26.1.2009) by Education and Skills Act 2008 (c. 25), ss. 149, 173

F173O.J. No. L10, 14.1.1997, pp. 13-33. The scope of the Directive was extended by Directive 2003/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O.J. No. L345, 31.12.2003, pp 97-105). There have been other amendments which are not relevant to this Order.

F1762008 c. 29. See Part 4 for the requirement for development consent.

F179Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 9: Matter 9.1 inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of Framework Powers) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/910), art. 3 (with art. 2), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see Government of Wales Act 2006, s. 161(5)

F182Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 10: Matter 10.1 inserted (26.1.2009) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 122, 134(2)

F186Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 11: Matters 11.2-11.8 and "Interpretation of this field" with relevant text inserted (22.7.2010) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Housing and Local Government) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1838), arts. 1(2), 2(2)

F187Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 12: Matters 12.1-12.5 inserted (30.12.2007) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 235, 245(2), Sch. 17 para. 2

F205Sch. 5 Pt. 1 Field 16: Matters 16.2, 16.3 and Interpretation inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 310, 324(2)(d) (with s. 308)

F208Sch. 5 Pt. 1: Matters 18.1-18.3 inserted (26.1.2009) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), ss. 202, 241(6) (with s. 226)

Part 2U.K.[F212EXCEPTIONS TO MATTERS AND GENERAL RESTRICTIONS]

[F213Exceptions to mattersU.K.

Textual Amendments

F213Sch. 5 Pt. 2: para. A1 and headings preceding/after said para. inserted (19.11.2009) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Exceptions to Matters) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3006), art. 2(9)

  • These are the exceptions mentioned in section 94(4)(a) and (7)—

  • [F215Culture (field 3 of Part 1)

(1)Public lending right.

(2)Classification of films, and video recordings.]

[F216Economic development (field 4 of Part 1)

(1)Generation of electricity at generating stations whose construction, extension or operation requires—

(a)the consent of the Secretary of State, or

(b)the authority of an order granting development consent under the Planning Act 2008,

and for this purpose, the reference to consent of the Secretary of State is a reference to consent under powers to regulate generation of electricity.

(2)Transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity.

(3)Energy conservation, apart from the encouragement of energy efficiency otherwise than by prohibition or regulation.

(4)Nuclear energy and nuclear installations, including—

(a)nuclear safety, and

(b)liability for nuclear occurrences,

  • but this paragraph does not include disposal of very low level radioactive waste moved from a site whose use requires a nuclear site licence under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965]

  • Highways and transport (field 10 of Part 1)

(1)Registration of local bus services, and the application and enforcement of traffic regulation conditions in relation to those services.

[F217(1A)Road freight transport services, including goods vehicles operating licensing.]

[F218(2)Regulation of the use of relevant vehicles on roads, the construction and use of relevant vehicles, and conditions under which relevant vehicles may be so used, apart from—

(a)regulation of use of relevant vehicles carrying animals for the purposes of protecting human, animal, fish or plant health or the environment,F219. . .

(b)regulation relating to matter 10.1[F220, and

(c)regulation of the description of vehicle which may be used pursuant to learner transport arrangements (including description by reference to a vehicle's construction or equipment), but not including the setting of technical standards for construction or equipment which differ from the standards that would or might otherwise apply to that vehicle.]

  • For the purpose of this paragraph, “ relevant vehicles ” means motor vehicles, mobile machinery and agricultural and forestry tractors. ]

(3)Road traffic offences.

(4)Driver licensing.

(5)Driving instruction.

(6)Insurance of motor vehicles.

(7)Drivers' hours.

(8)Traffic regulation on special roads (apart from regulation relating to matter 10.1).

(9)Pedestrian crossings.

(10)Traffic signs (apart from the placing and maintenance of traffic signs within the meaning of section 177 of the Transport Act 2000 for purposes relating to matter 10.1).

(11)Speed limits.

(12)Public service vehicle operator licensing.

(13)Provision and regulation of railway services, apart from financial assistance which—

(a)does not relate to the carriage of goods,

(b)is not made in connection with a railway administration order, and

(c)is not made in connection with [F221Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on public passenger transport services by rail and by road].

(14)Transport security[F222 (apart from regulation relating to the carriage of supervising adults on vehicles used pursuant to learner transport arrangements)]

[F223(14A)Aviation, air transport, airports and aerodromes, apart from—

(a)financial assistance to providers or proposed providers of air transport services or airport facilities or services,

(b)strategies by the Welsh Ministers or local or other public authorities about provision of air services, and

(c)regulation of the use of aircraft carrying animals for the purpose of protecting—

(i)human health, apart from the health of persons in aircraft,

(ii)animal, fish or plant health, or

(iii)the environment.]

[F224(15)Shipping, apart from—

(a)financial assistance for shipping services to, from or within Wales, and

(b)regulation of the use of vessels carrying animals for the purposes of protecting—

(i)human health, apart from the health of persons on vessels,

(ii)animal, fish or plant health, or

(iii)the environment.]

(16)Navigational rights and freedoms, apart from regulation of works which may obstruct or endanger navigation.

(17)Technical and safety standards of vessels.

[F225(18)Harbours, docks, piers and boatslips, apart from—

(a)those used or required wholly or mainly for the fishing industry, for recreation, or for communications between places in Wales (or for two or more of those purposes), and

(b)regulation for the purposes of protecting human, animal, fish or plant health or the environment.

(19)Carriage of dangerous goods, including transport of radioactive material.]

  • [F226 In paragraphs (2) and (14) “ learner transport arrangements ” means arrangements of the kind described in matter 5.10 which consist of the provision of motor vehicles and are made by—

    (a)

    public authorities (within the meaning of field 15) exercising functions relating to education or training, or

    (b)

    institutions or other bodies concerned with the provision of education or training.]

  • Social welfare (field 15 of Part 1)

(1)Child support.

(2)Child trust funds, apart from subscriptions to such funds by—

(a)a county council or county borough council in Wales, or

(b)the Welsh Ministers.

(3)Tax credits.

(4)Child benefit and guardian's allowance.

(5)Social security.

(6)Independent living funds.

(7)Motability.

(8)Vaccine damage payments.

(9)Intercountry adoption, apart from adoption agencies and their functions, and functions of the “Central Authority” under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.

(10)The Children's Commissioner established under the Children Act 2004.

(11)Family law and proceedings apart from—

(a)welfare advice to courts, representation and provision of information, advice and other support to children ordinarily resident in Wales and their families, and

(b)Welsh family proceedings officers.

(12)Welfare foods.

  • [F227Sport and recreation (field 16 of Part 1)

    (1)

    Betting, gaming and lotteries.]

  • [F228Water and flood defence (field 19 of Part 1)

(1)Appointment and regulation of any water undertaker whose area is not wholly or mainly in Wales.

(2)Licensing and regulation of any licensed water supplier within the meaning of the Water Industry Act 1991, apart from regulation in relation to licensed activities using the supply system of a water undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales.]]

Textual Amendments

F214Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. A1 and headings preceding/after said para. inserted (19.11.2009) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Exceptions to Matters) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3006), art. 2(9)

F215Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. A1: heading and following text inserted (13.4.2010) by virtue of The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Culture and Other Fields) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1212), arts. 1, 3(2)

F227Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. A1: heading and following text inserted (13.4.2010) by virtue of The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Culture and Other Fields) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1212), arts. 1, 3(3)

General restrictions]U.K.

Functions of Ministers of the CrownU.K.

1(1)A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot remove or modify, or confer power by subordinate legislation to remove or modify, any function of a Minister of the Crown.U.K.

(2)A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot confer or impose, or confer power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on a Minister of the Crown.

Criminal offencesU.K.

2(1)A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot create, or confer power by subordinate legislation to create, any criminal offence punishable—U.K.

(a)on summary conviction, with imprisonment for a period exceeding the prescribed term or with a fine exceeding the amount specified as level 5 on the standard scale, or

(b)on conviction on indictment, with a period of imprisonment exceeding two years.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “the prescribed term” means—

(a)where the offence is a summary offence, 51 weeks, and

(b)where the offence is triable either way, twelve months.

[F229Police areasU.K.

Textual Amendments

F229Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. 2A and cross-heading inserted (30.12.2007) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 235, 245(2), Sch. 17 para. 3

[F2302AU.K.A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot make any alteration in police areas.]]

Textual Amendments

F230Sch. 5 Pt. 2 para. 2A and cross-heading inserted (30.12.2007) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 235, 245(2), Sch. 17 para. 3

Enactments other than this ActU.K.

3[F231(1)]A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any of the provisions listed in the Table below—U.K.

Table
EnactmentProvisions protected from modification
European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68)The whole Act
Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)The whole Act
Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)Sections 144(7), 145, 145A and 146A(1)
Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42)The whole Act
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36)The whole Act
Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1505)The whole set of Regulations

[F232(2)Sub-paragraph (1), so far as it applies in relation to sections 145, 145A and 146A(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998, does not apply to a provision to which sub-paragraph (3) applies.

(3)This sub-paragraph applies to a provision of an Assembly Measure which—

(a)is a provision relating to matter 14.1,

(b)provides for the enforcement of a provision relating to matter 14.1 or is otherwise appropriate for making such a provision effective, or

(c)is otherwise incidental to, or consequential on, such a provision.]

4U.K.A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any provision of an Act of Parliament other than this Act which requires sums required for the repayment of, or the payment of interest on, amounts borrowed by the Welsh Ministers to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

5U.K.A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any functions of the Comptroller and Auditor General[F233or the National Audit Office].

This ActU.K.

6(1)A provision of an Assembly Measure cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, provisions contained in this Act.U.K.

[F234(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a)sections 20, 22, 24, 35(1), 36(1) to (5) and (7) to (11), 53, 54, 78 and 156(2) to (5); or

(b)paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 2.]

(3)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to any provision—

(a)making modifications of so much of any enactment as is modified by this Act, or

(b)repealing so much of any provision of this Act as amends any enactment, if the provision ceases to have effect in consequence of any provision of, or made under, an Assembly Measure.

[F235(4)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to any provision to which paragraph 3(3) applies.

(5)But, subject to sub-paragraph (6), a provision to which paragraph 3(3) applies cannot modify, or confer power by subordinate legislation to modify, paragraph 3 of Schedule 8.

(6)Sub-paragraph (5) does not prevent the conferral of functions on a committee of the Assembly that—

(a)does not consist of or include any of the following persons—

(i)the First Minister or any person designated to exercise functions of the First Minister,

(ii)a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(iii)the Counsel General or any person designated to exercise the functions of the Counsel General, or

(iv)a Deputy Welsh Minister, and

(b)is not chaired by an Assembly member who is a member of a political group with an executive role.]

Part 3U.K.[F236EXCEPTIONS FROM GENERAL RESTRICTIONS IN PART 2]

U.K.

[F237Interpretation

Textual Amendments

6Z  In this Part “ general restrictions in Part 2 ” means paragraphs 1 to 6 of Part 2. ]

Textual Amendments

Functions of Ministers of the CrownU.K.

7[F238(1)][F239The general restrictions in Part 2 do not] prevent a provision of an Assembly Measure removing or modifying, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to remove or modify, any function of a Minister of the Crown if the Secretary of State consents to the provision.U.K.

[F240(2)Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Assembly Measure relating to matter 20.1 or 20.2 of Part 1, conferring or imposing, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on a Minister of the Crown if the Secretary of State consents to the provision, but functions so conferred or imposed may not be made enforceable against Ministers of the Crown by means of criminal offences.]

[F241Police areasU.K.

Textual Amendments

F241Sch. 5 Pt. 3 para. 7A and cross-heading inserted (30.12.2007) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 235, 245(2), Sch. 17 para. 4

7AU.K.Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Assembly Measure making an alteration to the boundary of a police area in Wales if the Secretary of State consents to the provision.]

[F242Comptroller and Auditor General and National Audit Office]U.K.

Textual Amendments

8U.K.[F243The general restrictions in Part 2 do not] prevent a provision of an Assembly Measure modifying, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to modify, any enactment relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General[F244or the National Audit Office] if the Secretary of State consents to the provision.

RestatementU.K.

9U.K.Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Assembly Measure—

(a)restating the law (or restating it with such modifications as are not prevented by that Part), or

(b)repealing or revoking any spent enactment,

or conferring power by subordinate legislation to do so.

Subordinate legislationU.K.

10U.K.[F245The general restrictions in Part 2 do not] prevent an Assembly Measure making modifications of, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, an enactment for or in connection with any of the following purposes—

(a)making different provision about the document by which a power to make, confirm or approve subordinate legislation is to be exercised,

(b)making provision (or no provision) for the procedure, in relation to the Assembly, to which legislation made in the exercise of such a power (or the instrument or other document in which it is contained) is to be subject, and

(c)applying any enactment comprised in or made under an Assembly Measure relating to the documents by which such powers may be exercised.

Textual Amendments

U.K.

[F246Data Protection Act 1998

Textual Amendments

F246Sch. 5 para. 11 and cross-heading inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of Framework Powers) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/910), art. 4 (with art. 2), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see art. 2(1) of the amending Order and s. 161(5) of this Act

11U.K.Part 2 does not prevent an Assembly Measure making modifications of, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, section 31(6) of the Data Protection Act 1998 so that it applies to complaints under any Assembly Measure relating to matter 9.1 in Part 1.]

Textual Amendments

F246Sch. 5 para. 11 and cross-heading inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Conversion of Framework Powers) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/910), art. 4 (with art. 2), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see art. 2(1) of the amending Order and s. 161(5) of this Act

Section 103

SCHEDULE 6U.K.Referendums on commencement of Assembly Act provisions

Entitlement to voteU.K.

1(1)The persons entitled to vote in a referendum held by virtue of section 103(1) are those who would be entitled to vote in a general election of Assembly members if one were held on the date of the poll at the referendum (as to which see section 12).U.K.

(2)But an Order in Council under section 103(1) may include provision for disregarding alterations made in a register of electors after a specified date.

Commencement Information

I167This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Conduct etc. of referendumU.K.

2(1)An Order in Council under section 103(1) may make provision for and in connection with the referendum which it causes to be held.U.K.

(2)Such an Order in Council may, in particular, apply or incorporate, with or without modification, any enactment relating to referendums, elections or donations.

(3)In sub-paragraph (2) “donations” means anything which is or corresponds to a donation within the meaning of Part 4 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

Commencement Information

I168This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Referendum question and statementU.K.

3(1)An Order in Council under section 103(1)—U.K.

(a)must specify the question to be included on the ballot paper at the referendum which it causes to be held, and

(b)may specify a statement to precede the question on that ballot paper.

(2)A question or statement specified by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) must be specified in both English and Welsh.

(3)The Secretary of State must, no later than the time at which paragraph (b) of section 104(4) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (report stating views as to intelligibility of referendum question expressed by Electoral Commission) is complied with, send to the First Minister a copy of the report laid before Parliament under that paragraph.

(4)As soon as is reasonably practicable after the First Minister receives a copy of a report under sub-paragraph (3) the First Minister must lay a copy of the report before the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I169This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Date of referendumU.K.

4(1)An Order in Council under section 103(1) must specify the date of the poll at the referendum which it causes to be held.U.K.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order vary the date of the poll specified in such an Order in Council (including a date previously set by virtue of this sub-paragraph) if it appears inappropriate for it to be held on that date.

(3)No order may be made under sub-paragraph (2) without the consent of the Welsh Ministers.

(4)A statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (2) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I170This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Referendum periodU.K.

5U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) must determine the referendum period for the purposes of Part 7 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in the case of the referendum which it causes to be held.

Commencement Information

I171This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Combination of pollsU.K.

6U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) may make provision for and in connection with the combination of the poll at the referendum which it causes to be held with that at an election or at another referendum (or both).

Commencement Information

I172This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Encouraging votingU.K.

7U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) may authorise or require the Electoral Commission to do things for the purpose of encouraging voting in the referendum which it causes to be held (including imposing obligations or conferring powers on counting officers or other persons).

Commencement Information

I173This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Provision of information to votersU.K.

8(1)This paragraph applies in relation to a referendum held by virtue of section 103(1) if the Electoral Commission have not, before the appropriate day, designated an organisation under section 108 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) (organisations to whom assistance is available under section 110 of that Act) in relation to each possible outcome of the referendum.U.K.

(2)The Electoral Commission may take such steps as they think appropriate to provide such information for persons entitled to vote in the referendum as the Commission think is likely to promote awareness among those persons about the arguments for each answer to the referendum question.

(3)Information provided in pursuance of sub-paragraph (2) must be provided by whatever means the Electoral Commission think is most likely to secure (in the most cost-effective way) that the information comes to the notice of everyone entitled to vote in the referendum.

(4)In this paragraph “the appropriate day” means—

(a)if an order is made under section 109(6) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (variation of period for applications for designation under section 108 or period for determination of applications or both) in the case of the referendum, such day as that order specifies as the appropriate day,

(b)if no such order is made and one or more applications are made in relation to each possible outcome of the referendum before the 29th day of the referendum period, the 43rd day of the referendum period, and

(c)in any other case in which no such order is made, the 29th day of the referendum period.

Commencement Information

I174This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Referendum materialU.K.

9U.K.Section 126 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (details to appear on referendum material) does not apply to any material published for the purposes of a referendum held by virtue of section 103(1) if the publication is required under or by virtue of the Order in Council that causes the referendum to be held.

Commencement Information

I175This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Funding and accountsU.K.

10U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) must include provision for the funding of costs of the referendum which it causes to be held (and may, in particular, include provision for the costs to be charged on, or payable out of, the Welsh Consolidated Fund).

Commencement Information

I176This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

11U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) must include provision as to the preparation and audit of accounts relating to payments made by virtue of provision included in the Order in Council under paragraph 10.

Commencement Information

I177This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

No legal challenge to referendum resultU.K.

12(1)No court may entertain any proceedings for questioning the number of ballot papers counted or votes cast in a referendum held by virtue of section 103(1) as certified by the Chief Counting Officer or a counting officer unless—U.K.

(a)the proceedings are brought by a claim for judicial review, and

(b)the claim form is filed before the end of the permitted period.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “the permitted period” means the period of six weeks beginning with—

(a)the date on which the Chief Counting Officer or counting officer gives a certificate as to the number of ballot papers counted and votes cast in the referendum, or

(b)if the Chief Counting Officer or counting officer gives more than one such certificate, the date on which the last is given.

Commencement Information

I178This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

SupplementaryU.K.

13U.K.An Order in Council under section 103(1) may include provision creating criminal offences.

Commencement Information

I179This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

InterpretationU.K.

14U.K.Expressions used in this Schedule and in Part 7 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) have the same meaning in this Schedule as in that Part.

Commencement Information

I180This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Section 108

SCHEDULE 7U.K.Acts of the Assembly

Part 1U.K.Subjects

[F247Agriculture, forestry, animals, plants and rural development]U.K.

[F2481U.K. Agriculture. Horticulture. Forestry. Fisheries and fishing. Animal health and welfare. Plant health. Plant varieties and seeds. Rural development.

In this Part of this Schedule “ animal ” means—

(a)all mammals apart from humans, and

(b)all animals other than mammals;

and related expressions are to be construed accordingly.]

Exceptions—

  • Hunting with dogs.

  • Regulation of scientific or other experimental procedures on animals.

  • Import and export control, and regulation of movement, of animals, plants and other things, apart from (but subject to provision made by or by virtue of any Act of Parliament relating to the control of imports or exports)—

    • (a) the movement into and out of, and within, Wales of animals, animal products,F249. . . plants, plant products and other things related to them for the purposes of protecting human, animal [F250or plant] health, animal welfare or the environment or observing or implementing obligations under the Common Agricultural Policy, and

    • (b) the movement into and out of, and within, Wales of animal feedstuff ,F251. . . fertilisers and pesticides (or things treated by virtue of any enactment as pesticides) for the purposes of protecting human, animal [F252or plant] health or the environment.

  • Authorisations of veterinary medicines and medicinal products.

Ancient monuments and historic buildingsU.K.

2U.K.Archaeological remains. Ancient monuments. Buildings and places of historical or architectural interest. Historic wrecks.

CultureU.K.

3U.K.Arts and crafts. Museums and galleries. Libraries. Archives and historical records. Cultural activities and projects.

Exceptions—

  • Public lending right.

  • Broadcasting.

  • Classification of films, and video recordings.

  • Government indemnities for objects on loan.

  • Payments to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in respect of property accepted in satisfaction of tax, apart from property in which there is a Welsh national interest.

Economic developmentU.K.

4U.K.Economic regeneration and development, including social development of communities, reclamation of derelict land and improvement of the environment. Promotion of business and competitiveness.

Exceptions—

  • Fiscal, economic and monetary policy[F253(except so far as relating to devolved taxes)] and regulation of international trade.

  • Regulation of anti-competitive practices and agreements, abuse of dominant position and monopolies and mergers.

  • Intellectual property, apart from plant varieties.

  • Creation, operation, regulation and dissolution of types of business association.

  • Insolvency.

  • Product standards, safety and liability, apart from in relation to food (including packaging and other materials which come into contact with food), agricultural and horticultural products, [F254animals and animal products,] seeds, fertilisers and pesticides (and things treated by virtue of any enactment as pesticides).

  • Consumer protection, including the sale and supply of goods to consumers, consumer guarantees, hire purchase, trade descriptions, advertising and price indications, apart from in relation to food (including packaging and other materials which come into contact with food), agricultural and horticultural products, [F254animals and animal products,] seeds, fertilisers and pesticides (and things treated by virtue of any enactment as pesticides).

  • Financial services, including investment business, banking and deposit-taking, collective investment schemes and insurance.

  • [F255Occupational and personal pension schemes (including schemes which make provision for compensation for loss of office or employment, compensation for loss or diminution of emoluments, or benefits in respect of death or incapacity resulting from injury or disease), apart from schemes for or in respect of Assembly members, the First Minister, Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48, the Counsel General or Deputy Welsh Ministers [F256and schemes for or in respect of members of local authorities].]

  • Financial markets, including listing and public offers of securities and investments, transfers of securities, insider dealing and money laundering.

  • Telecommunications, wireless telegraphy (including electromagnetic disturbance), internet services and electronic encryption.

  • Postal services, post offices and the Post Office, apart from financial assistance for the provision of services (other than postal services and services relating to money or postal orders) to be provided from public post offices.

  • Generation, transmission [F257, distribution] and supply of electricity F258. . . .

  • Energy conservation, apart from the encouragement of energy efficiency otherwise than by prohibition or regulation.

  • Coal, including mining and subsidence, apart from land restoration and other environmental matters.

  • Oil and gas F259. . . .

  • [F260Nuclear energy and nuclear installations[F261and the Office for Nuclear Regulation]

[F262(a)including nuclear safety and liability for nuclear occurrences;

(b)but not including disposal of very low level radioactive waste moved from a site requiring a nuclear site licence]]

  • Units and standards of weights and measurement and the regulation of trade so far as involving weighing, measuring and quantities.

  • Industrial Development Advisory Board.

Textual Amendments

F253Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 4 inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(8), 29(2)(b)(3)

F261Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 4 inserted (10.3.2014) by Energy Act 2013 (c. 32), s. 156(1), Sch. 12 para. 90; S.I. 2014/251, art. 3(f)(v)

Education and trainingU.K.

5U.K.Education, vocational, social and physical training and the careers service. Promotion of advancement and application of knowledge.

Exception—

Research Councils.

EnvironmentU.K.

6U.K.Environmental protection, including pollution, nuisances and hazardous substances. [F263Prevention, reduction, collection, management, treatment and disposal of waste.] Land drainage and land improvement. Countryside and open spaces (including the designation and regulation of national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty). Nature conservation and sites of special scientific interest. Protection of natural habitats, coast and marine environment (including seabed). Biodiversity. Genetically modified organisms. Smallholdings and allotments. Common land. Town and village greens. Burial and cremation [F264, except coroners' functions].

[F265Fire and rescue services and fire safety]U.K.

7U.K.Fire and rescue services. [F266Provision of automatic fire suppression systems in newly constructed and newly converted residential premises.] Promotion of fire safety otherwise than by prohibition or regulation.

FoodU.K.

8U.K.Food and food products. Food safety (including packaging and other materials which come into contact with food). Protection of interests of consumers in relation to food.

Food” includes drink.

Health and health servicesU.K.

9U.K.Promotion of health. Prevention, treatment and alleviation of disease, illness, injury, disability and mental disorder. Control of disease. Family planning. Provision of health services, including medical, dental, ophthalmic, pharmaceutical and ancillary services and facilities. Clinical governance and standards of health care. Organisation and funding of national health service.

Exceptions—

  • Abortion.

  • Human genetics, human fertilisation, human embryology, surrogacy arrangements.

  • Xenotransplantation.

  • Regulation of health professionals (including persons dispensing hearing aids).

  • Poisons.

  • Misuse of and dealing in drugs.

  • Human medicines and medicinal products, including authorisations for use and regulation of prices.

  • Standards for, and testing of, biological substances (that is, substances the purity or potency of which cannot be adequately tested by chemical means).

  • Vaccine damage payments.

  • Welfare foods.

  • F267. . . Health and Safety Executive and Employment Medical Advisory Service and provision made by health and safety regulations.

Textual Amendments

F267Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 9 Exceptions: words in entry omitted (1.4.2008) by virtue of The Legislative Reform (Health and Safety Executive) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/960), art. 22, Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2)

Highways and transportU.K.

10U.K.Highways, including bridges and tunnels. Streetworks. Traffic management and regulation. Transport facilities and services.

Exceptions—

  • [F268Registration of local bus services, and the application and enforcement of traffic regulation conditions in relation to those services.]

  • Road freight transport services, including goods vehicles operating licensing.

  • [F269Regulation of the construction and equipment of motor vehicles and trailers, and regulation of the use of motor vehicles and trailers on roads, apart from—

    (a)

    any such regulation which—

    (i)

    relates to schemes for imposing charges in respect of the use or keeping of vehicles on Welsh trunk roads (“trunk road charging schemes”), or

    (ii)

    relates to the descriptions of motor vehicles and trailers which may be used under arrangements for persons to travel to and from the places where they receive education or training, unless the regulation is the setting of technical standards for construction or equipment of motor vehicles or trailers which differ from the standards that would or might otherwise apply to them; and

    (b)

    regulation of the use of motor vehicles and trailers carrying animals for the purpose of protecting human, animal or plant health, animal welfare or the environment.]

  • Road traffic offences.

  • Driver licensing.

  • Driving instruction.

  • Insurance of motor vehicles.

  • Drivers' hours.

  • [F270Traffic regulation on special roads, apart from regulation relating to trunk road charging schemes.

  • Pedestrian crossings.

  • Traffic signs, apart from the placing and maintenance of traffic signs relating to trunk road charging schemes.

  • Speed limits.]

  • International road transport services for passengers.

  • Public service vehicle operator licensing.

  • Documents relating to vehicles and drivers for purposes of travel abroad and vehicles brought temporarily into Wales by persons resident outside the United Kingdom.

  • Vehicle excise duty and vehicle registration.

  • Provision and regulation of railway services, apart from financial assistance which—

    • (a) does not relate to the carriage of goods,

    • (b) is not made in connection with a railway administration order, and

    (c)

    [F271 is not made in connection with Regulation ( EC ) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on public passenger transport services by rail and by road F272 .

  • [F273Transport] security.[F274, apart from regulation relating to the carriage of adults who supervise persons travelling to and from the places where they receive education or training]

  • Railway heritage.

  • Aviation, air transport, airports and aerodromes, apart from—

    • (a) financial assistance to providers or proposed providers of air transport services or airport facilities or services,

    • (b) strategies by the Welsh Ministers or local or other public authorities about provision of air services, and

    • (c) regulation of use of aircraft carrying animals for [F275the purposes of protecting human, animal [F276or plant] health], animal welfare or the environment.

  • Shipping, apart from—

    • (a) financial assistance for shipping services to, from or within Wales, and

    • (b) regulation of use of vessels carrying animals [F275the purposes of protecting human, animal [F276or plant] health], animal welfare or the environment.

  • Navigational rights and freedoms, apart from regulation of works which may obstruct or endanger navigation.

  • Technical and safety standards of vessels.

  • Harbours, docks, piers and boatslips,[F277 apart from—

(a)those used or required wholly or mainly for the fishing industry, for recreation, or for communication between places in Wales (or for two or more of those purposes), and

(b)regulation for the purposes of protecting human, animal [F276or plant] health, animal welfare or the environment.]

  • Carriage of dangerous goods (including transport of radioactive material).

  • [F278Technical specifications for fuel for use in internal combustion engines.]]

Textual Amendments

F269Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 10: exception beginning "Regulation of the construction and equipment of motor vehicles" substituted (16.12.2010) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Amendment of Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2968), arts. 1(2), 7(1)(2)

F270Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 10: exceptions beginning "Traffic regulation on special roads" substituted (16.12.2010) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Amendment of Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2968), arts. 1(2), 7(1)(3)

F271Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 10: exception beginning "Provision and regulation of railway services" para. (c) substituted (16.12.2010) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Amendment of Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2968), arts. 1(2), 7(1)(4)

F272OJ No. L315, 3.12.2007, p. 1.

F276Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 10: words in exceptions beginning "Aviation", "Shipping", "Harbours" substituted (16.12.2010) by The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Amendment of Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2968), arts. 1(2), 7(1)(6)

HousingU.K.

11U.K.[F279Housing. Housing finance except schemes supported from central or local funds which provide assistance for social security purposes to or in respect of individuals by way of benefits.] Encouragement of home energy efficiency and conservation, otherwise than by prohibition or regulation. Regulation of rent. Homelessness. Residential caravans and mobile homes.

Local governmentU.K.

12U.K.Constitution, structure and areas of local authorities. Electoral arrangements for local authorities. Powers and duties of local authorities and their members and officers. Local government finance.

Local authorities” does not include [F280police and crime commissioners].

Exceptions—

  • Local government franchise.

  • Electoral registration and administration.

  • Registration of births, marriages, civil partnerships and deaths.

  • Licensing of sale and supply of alcohol, provision of entertainment and late night refreshment.

  • [F281Orders to protect people from behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress].

  • Local land charges, apart from fees.

  • Sunday trading.

  • Provision of advice and assistance overseas by local authorities in connection with carrying on there of local government activities.

Textual Amendments

F281Words in Sch. 7 para. 12 substituted (20.10.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), s. 185(1), Sch. 11 para. 43 (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(g)(vi) (as amended (20.10.2014) by S.I. 2014/2754, arts. 1, 3(a))

National Assembly for WalesU.K.

13U.K.Complaints about Assembly members (including provision for and about an office or body for investigating such complaints and reporting outcome of investigations). Assembly Commission. Salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities for and in respect of Assembly members, the First Minister, Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48, the Counsel General and Deputy Welsh Ministers. Register of interests of Assembly members and the Counsel General. Meaning of Welsh words and phrases in Assembly Measures and Acts of the Assembly, in subordinate legislation made under Assembly Measures and Acts of the Assembly and in other subordinate legislation if made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General. Private legislation in the Assembly. Financial assistance for political groups to which Assembly members belong. The Welsh Seal. Arrangements for the printing of Acts of the Assembly, of subordinate legislation made under Assembly Measures and Acts of the Assembly and of other subordinate legislation if made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.[F282Budgetary procedures.

Budgetary procedures” are procedures for a financial year relating to—

(a)the authorisation of the amount of resources which may be used or retained in that year by relevant persons or pursuant to a relevant enactment,

(b)the authorisation of the amount which may be paid out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund in that year to relevant persons or for use pursuant to a relevant enactment, or

(c)the scrutiny of the use of the amounts so authorised under paragraph (a) or (b) or of the exercise of borrowing powers by the Welsh Ministers.

The following are “relevant persons”—

(a)the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the First Minister,

(c)the Counsel General,

(d)the Assembly Commission,

(e)the Wales Audit Office, and

(f)the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

A “relevant enactment” is an enactment which provides for payment out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

The reference to the use of resources is a reference to their expenditure, consumption or reduction in value.]

Textual Amendments

F282Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 13 inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 22(2), 29(2)(b)(3)

Public administrationU.K.

14U.K.Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. [F283Auditor General for Wales.]. Audit, examination, regulation and inspection of auditable public authorities. Inquiries [F284in respect of matters in relation to which the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General exercise functions]. Equal opportunities in relation to equal opportunity public authorities. Access to information held by open access public authorities. The following are “auditable public authorities” and “equal opportunity public authorities”—

(a)the Assembly,

(b)the Assembly Commission,

(c)the Welsh F37... Government,

(d)persons who exercise functions of a public nature and in respect of whom the Welsh Ministers exercise functions,

(e)persons who exercise functions of a public nature and at least half of the cost of whose functions in relation to Wales are funded (directly or indirectly) by the Welsh Ministers, and

(f)persons established by enactment and having power to issue a precept or levy.

The following are “open access public authorities”—

(a)the Assembly,

(b)the Assembly Commission,

(c)the Welsh F37... Government, and

(d)authorities which are Welsh public authorities, within the meaning of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36).

Exception—

Regulation of the profession of auditor.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

F283Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 14 words inserted (22.5.2011) by 2011 c. 4, s. 29, Sch. 6 para. 6

Social welfareU.K.

15U.K.Social welfare including social services. Protection and well-being of children (including adoption and fostering) [F285and of young adults]. Care of [F286children,] young adults, vulnerable persons and older persons, including care standards. Badges for display on motor vehicles used by disabled persons.

Exceptions—

  • Child support.

  • [F287Child trust funds, apart from subscriptions to such funds by—

    (a)

    a county council or county borough council in Wales, or

    (b)

    the Welsh Ministers.]

  • Tax credits.

  • Child benefit and guardian's allowance.

  • Social security.

  • [F288Independent Living Funds.

  • Motability.]

  • Intercountry adoption, apart from adoption agencies and their functions, and functions of “the Central Authority” under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.

  • The Children's Commissioner (established under the Children Act 2004 (c. 31)).

  • Family law and proceedings, apart from—

    • (a) [F289welfare advice] to courts, representation and provision of information, advice and other support to children ordinarily resident in Wales and their families, and

    • (b) Welsh family proceedings officers.

Sport and recreationU.K.

16U.K.Sport and recreational activities.

Exception—

Betting, gaming and lotteries.

[F290Taxation]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F290Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 16A and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 6(9), 29(2)(b)(3)

[F29016AU.K.Devolved taxes (as defined in section 116A(4)).]

TourismU.K.

17U.K.Tourism.

Town and country planningU.K.

18U.K.Town and country planning, including listed buildings [F291and conservation areas]. Caravan sites. Spatial planning. Mineral workings. Urban development. New towns. Protection of visual amenity.

  • [F292Exception—

  • [F293Development consent under the Planning Act 2008].]

Water and flood defenceU.K.

19U.K.Water supply[F294, water resources management (including reservoirs), water quality and representation of consumers of water and sewerage services. Flood risk management and coastal protection.

  • Exceptions—

  • Appointment and regulation of any water undertaker whose area is not wholly or mainly in Wales.

  • Licensing and regulation of any [F295water supply licensee] within the meaning of the Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56), apart from regulation in relation to licensed activities using the supply system of a water undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales.]

Welsh languageU.K.

20U.K.Welsh language

Exception—

Use of the Welsh language in courts.

Part 2U.K.General restrictions

Functions of a Minister of the CrownU.K.

1(1)A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot remove or modify, or confer power by subordinate legislation to remove or modify, any pre-commencement function of a Minister of the Crown.U.K.

(2)A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot confer or impose, or confer power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on a Minister of the Crown.

(3)In this Schedule “pre-commencement function” means a function which is exercisable by a Minister of the Crown before the day on which the Assembly Act provisions come into force.

Enactments other than this ActU.K.

2[F296(1)]A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any of the provisions listed in the Table below—U.K.

Table
EnactmentProvisions protected from modification
European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68)The whole Act
Data Protection Act 1998 (c. 29)The whole Act
Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)Sections 144(7), 145, 145A and 146A(1)
Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42)The whole Act
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (c. 36)The whole Act
Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1505)The whole set of Regulations
[F297The Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3)Sections 2(1) to (3), 3(2) to (4), 6(2) to (3) and section 8(1) in so far as that section relates to the Auditor General's exercise of functions free from the direction or control of the Assembly or Welsh F37... Government.]

[F298(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to any provision making modifications, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to make modifications, of section 31(6) of the Data Protection Act 1998 so that it applies to complaints under an enactment relating to the provision of redress for negligence in connection with the diagnosis of illness or the care or treatment of any patient (in Wales or elsewhere) as part of the health service in Wales.]

[F299(2A)Sub-paragraph (1), so far as it applies in relation to sections 2(1) to (3), 3(2) to (4), 6(2) to (3) and 8(1) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 does not apply in relation to any provision to which sub-paragraph (4) applies.

(2B)But, subject to sub-paragraph (2C), a provision to which sub-paragraph (4) applies cannot modify or confer power by subordinate legislation to modify section 8(1) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013.

(2C)Sub-paragraph (2B) does not prevent the conferral of functions on a committee of the Assembly that—

(a)does not consist of or include any of the following persons—

(i)the First Minister or any person designated to exercise the functions of the First Minister,

(ii)a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(iii)the Counsel General or any person designated to exercise the functions of the Counsel General, or

(iv)a Deputy Welsh Minister, and

(b)is not chaired by an Assembly member who is a member of a political group with an executive role.]

[F300(3)Sub-paragraph (1), so far as it applies in relation to sections 145, 145A and 146A(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998, does not apply to a provision to which sub-paragraph (4) applies.

(4)This sub-paragraph applies to a provision of an Act of the Assembly which—

(a)is a provision relating to the oversight or supervision of the Auditor General or of the exercise of the Auditor General's functions,

(b)provides for the enforcement of a provision falling within paragraph (a) or is otherwise appropriate for making such a provision effective, or

(c)is otherwise incidental to, or consequential on, such a provision.]

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

F297Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 2(1) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 78(2) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

F299Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 2(2A)-(2C) inserted (E.W.) (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 78(3) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

F300Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 2(3)(4) inserted (22.5.2011) by 2011 c. 4, s. 29, Sch. 6 para. 7(2)

3U.K.A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any provision of an Act of Parliament other than this Act which requires sums required for the repayment of, or the payment of interest on, amounts borrowed by the Welsh Ministers to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

4U.K.A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, any functions of the Comptroller and Auditor General[F301or the National Audit Office].

Textual Amendments

[F3024AU.K.A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot—

(a)remove or modify, or confer power by subordinate legislation, to remove or modify, any function of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, or

(b)confer or impose, or confer power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.]

Textual Amendments

F302Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 4A inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(14)(a), 29(2)(b)(3)

This ActU.K.

5(1)A provision of an Act of the Assembly cannot make modifications of, or confer power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, provisions contained in this Act.U.K.

[F303(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to the following provisions—

(a)sections 20, 22, 24, 35(1), 36(1) to (5) and (7) to (11), 53, 54, 78, [F30479,][F305120(2), 125 to 128,]146, 147, 148 and 156(2) to (5);

[F306(aa)section 119 in so far as it relates to estimated payments for a financial year into the Welsh Consolidated Fund or to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General;]

(b)paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 2.]

[F307(c)any provision of Schedule 8[F308, other than paragraphs 1(1) to (3), 2(2) to (4) and 3].]

(3)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to any provision—

(a)making modifications of so much of any enactment as is modified by this Act, or

(b)repealing so much of any provision of this Act as amends any enactment, if the provision ceases to have effect in consequence of any provision of, or made under, an Act of the Assembly.

[F309(4)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to a provision to which paragraph 2(4) applies.

[F310(4A)Sub-paragraph (1), so far as it applies in relation to a provision of Part 5 or section 159, does not apply to a provision of an Act of the Assembly if—

(a)the provision is incidental to, or consequential on, a provision of an Act of the Assembly relating to budgetary procedures or devolved taxes, and

(b)the Secretary of State consents to the provision.

(4B) In sub-paragraph (4A), “ budgetary procedures ” has the same meaning as in paragraph 13 of Part 1 of this Schedule. ]

(5)[F311But, subject to sub-paragraph (6), a provision to which paragraph 2(4) applies cannot modify, or confer power by subordinate legislation to modify, paragraph 3 of Schedule 8.]

(6)[F312Sub-paragraph (5) does not prevent the conferral of functions on a committee of the Assembly that—

(a)does not consist of or include any of the following persons—

(i)the First Minister or any person designated to exercise functions of the First Minister,

(ii)a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48,

(iii)the Counsel General or any person designated to exercise the functions of the Counsel General, or

(iv)a Deputy Welsh Minister, and

(b)is not chaired by an Assembly member who is a member of a political group with an executive role.]]

Textual Amendments

F304Word in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2)(a) inserted (12.2.2015) by S.I. 2015/204, art. 2

F305Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2)(a) inserted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 22(3)(a), 29(2)(b)(3)

F306Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2)(aa) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 22(3)(b), 29(2)(b)(3)

F307Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2)(c) inserted (22.5.2011) by 2011 c. 4, s. 29, Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(a)

F308Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2)(c) omitted (E.W.) (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 78(4)(a) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

F309Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(4)-(6) inserted (22.5.2011) by 2011 c. 4, s. 29, Sch. 6 para. 7(3)(b)

F310Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(4A)(4B) inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 22(3)(c), 29(2)(b)(3)

F311Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(5) omitted (E.W.) (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 78(4)(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

F312Words in Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(6) omitted (E.W.) (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 78(4)(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16Sch. 7 Pt. 2 para. 5(2) modified (temp.) (31.1.2017) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), s. 71(1)(b), Sch. 7 para. 3 (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6)

Part 3U.K.Exceptions from Part 2

Functions of Ministers of the CrownU.K.

6(1)Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Act of the Assembly removing or modifying, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to remove or modify, any pre-commencement function of a Minister of the Crown if—U.K.

(a)the Secretary of State consents to the provision, or

(b)the provision is incidental to, or consequential on, any other provision contained in the Act of the Assembly.

(2)Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Act of the Assembly conferring or imposing, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on a Minister of the Crown if the Secretary of State consents to the provision.

[F313Comptroller and Auditor General and National Audit Office]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F313Sch. 7 para. 7 heading substituted (1.4.2012) by Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 (c. 4), s. 29, Sch. 5 para. 28(2); S.I. 2011/2576, art. 5

7U.K.Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Act of the Assembly modifying, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to modify, any enactment relating to the Comptroller and Auditor General[F314or the National Audit Office] if the Secretary of State consents to the provision.

Textual Amendments

[F315Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs]U.K.

Textual Amendments

F315 Sch. 7 Pt. 3 para. 7A and cross-heading inserted (17.2.2015) by Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), ss. 7(14)(b), 29(2)(b)(3)

[F3157A(1)Part 2 does not prevent a provision of an Act of the Assembly—U.K.

(a)removing or modifying, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to remove or modify, any function of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, or

(b)conferring or imposing, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to confer or impose, any function on Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs,

if the following conditions are met.

(2)The conditions are—

(a)that the function relates to a devolved tax, and

(b)that the Treasury consent to the provision.]

RestatementU.K.

8U.K.Part 2 does not prevent an Act of the Assembly—

(a)restating the law (or restating it with such modifications as are not prevented by that Part), or

(b)repealing or revoking any spent enactment,

or conferring power by subordinate legislation to do so.

Subordinate legislationU.K.

9U.K.Part 2 does not prevent an Act of the Assembly making modifications of, or conferring power by subordinate legislation to make modifications of, an enactment for or in connection with any of the following purposes—

(a)making different provision about the document by which a power to make, confirm or approve subordinate legislation is to be exercised,

(b)making provision (or no provision) for the procedure, in relation to the Assembly, to which legislation made in the exercise of such a power (or the instrument or other document in which it is contained) is to be subject, and

(c)applying any enactment comprised in or made under an Act of the Assembly relating to the documents by which such powers may be exercised.

Section 145

SCHEDULE 8U.K.Auditor General for Wales

AppointmentU.K.

F3161U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F316Sch. 8 para. 1 omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 79(2) (with Sch. 3 paras. 3, 13); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

TenureU.K.

F3172U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F317Sch. 8 para. 2 omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 79(2) (with Sch. 3 paras. 3, 13); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Independence and statusU.K.

F3183U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Corporation soleU.K.

F3194U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

DocumentsU.K.

F3205U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

RemunerationU.K.

F3216U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

StaffU.K.

F3227U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Exercise of functions by staff etc.U.K.

F3238U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Special finance provisionsU.K.

F3249U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

BorrowingU.K.

F32510U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

FeesU.K.

F32611U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

EstimatesU.K.

F32712U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

AccountsU.K.

F32813U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

AuditorU.K.

F32914U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Audit of accountsU.K.

F33015U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F330Sch. 8 para. 15 omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 79(2) (with Sch. 3 paras. 3, 13); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Accounting officerU.K.

F33116U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Access to documentsU.K.

17(1)The Auditor General has a right of access at all reasonable times to every document relating to a relevant person which appears to the Auditor General necessary—U.K.

(a)for the purposes of the Auditor General's examination of any auditable accounts,

(b)for the purposes of undertaking studies under section 145A (studies for improving economy etc. in services provided by relevant bodies) or 145C (studies relating to registered social landlords) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38), or

(c)for the purposes of carrying out, in accordance with any provision made by or by virtue of this or any other [F332enactment], other examinations or studies into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which a person has used resources in discharging the person's functions.

(2)The documents relating to a relevant person to which the right conferred by sub-paragraph (1) applies include (in particular)—

(a)a document which is in the possession, or under the control, of a person who has received financial assistance from the relevant person by means of a grant, loan or guarantee or as a result of the taking of an interest in any property or body corporate,

(b)a document which is in the possession, or under the control, of a person who has supplied goods or services to the relevant person in pursuance of a contract to which the relevant person was party or has supplied goods or services in pursuance of a relevant sub-contract, and

(c)a document of a description specified in an order made by the Welsh Ministers.

(3)The Auditor General may require a person whom the Auditor General thinks has information of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (4)—

(a)to give the Auditor General any assistance, information and explanation which the Auditor General thinks necessary for any of the purposes mentioned in sub-paragraph (1),

(b)to attend before the Auditor General in person to give the assistance, information or explanation, or to produce any document which is in the possession, or under the control, of the person and to which the right conferred by that sub-paragraph applies, or

(c)to provide any facility which the Auditor General may reasonably require for any of the purposes mentioned in that sub-paragraph.

(4)The information referred to in sub-paragraph (3) is information which relates to—

(a)a relevant person,

(b)a document to which the right conferred by sub-paragraph (1) applies, or

(c)a person who possesses or controls such a document.

(5)The Auditor General may, for the purposes of an examination of any auditable accounts, require a relevant person to provide the Auditor General, at times specified by the Auditor General, with accounts of such of the person's transactions as the Auditor General may specify.

(6)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(b), a contract is a relevant sub-contract if its performance fulfils, or contributes to the fulfilment of, an obligation to supply goods or services to the relevant person in another contract.

(7)In this paragraph “auditable accounts” means any accounts or statement of accounts falling to be examined by the Auditor General in accordance with any provision made by or by virtue of this or any other [F333enactment][F334, apart from accounts that fall to be examined under Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004].

(8)In this paragraph “relevant person” means—

(a)in a case within paragraph (a) of sub-paragraph (1) relating to any accounts which the Welsh Ministers are directed to prepare under section 131, the Welsh Ministers, the Counsel General and any person to whose financial affairs and transactions the accounts are to relate by virtue of subsection (3) of that section,

(b)in a case within that paragraph relating to any accounts which the Assembly Commission is directed to prepare under section 137, the Assembly Commission and any person to whose financial affairs and transactions the accounts are to relate by virtue of subsection (2) of that section,

[F335(ba)in a case within that paragraph relating to any accounts which the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales is directed to prepare under paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005, the Ombudsman and any person to whose financial affairs and transactions the accounts are to relate by virtue of sub-paragraph (1A) of that paragraph,]

(c)in a case within that paragraph relating to any other auditable accounts, the person by whom the accounts are prepared, and

(d)in any other case, a person to whom the study or examination relates.

(9)No order may be made under sub-paragraph (2)(c) unless the Welsh Ministers have consulted—

(a)the Treasury, and

(b)the Auditor General.

(10)A statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (2)(c) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Textual Amendments

F332Word in Sch. 8 para. 17(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2014) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 3), s. 35(2), Sch. 4 para. 79(3) (with Sch. 3 para. 3); S.I. 2013/1466, art. 3(1)

Commencement Information

I181This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Other powersU.K.

18(1)Where—U.K.

(a)the Welsh Ministers are entitled to appoint the auditor of the accounts of any person (other than the Auditor General), and

(b)the Auditor General would not otherwise be eligible to be appointed as auditor of those accounts,

the Welsh Ministers may [F336, having first consulted the Wales Audit Office,] appoint the Auditor General to be auditor of those accounts.

(2)If in such a case the auditor is to be appointed annually, the Welsh Ministers may appoint the Auditor General—

(a)for a year,

(b)for two or more years, or

(c)indefinitely until further exercise of the power of appointment.

(3)The Auditor General may—

(a)examine, certify or report on a person's accounts, or

(b)carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which a person has used resources in discharging the person's functions,

if provision is made for the Auditor General to do so by an agreement entered into by the person with either the Welsh Ministers or a Minister of the Crown.

[F337(3A)But before entering into an agreement under sub-paragraph (3), the Welsh Ministers or a Minister of the Crown (as the case may be) must consult the Wales Audit Office.]

(4)In determining how to exercise functions under paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (3) the Auditor General must take into account the Audit Committee's views as to the examinations which the Auditor General should carry out under that paragraph.

(5)If an Order in Council under section 58 transfers a function of preparing accounts to the Welsh Ministers, the Secretary of State may by order provide for the transfer to the Auditor General of any function of the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to those accounts.

(6)An order under sub-paragraph (5) may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the order.

(7)An Order in Council under section 58 may include any provision that may be included in an order under sub-paragraph (5).

(8)If the Treasury designate the Welsh Ministers in respect of a financial year for the purposes of section 10 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (c. 20) (whole of government accounts), the Auditor General must carry out the audit required by subsection (2)(c) of that section.

(9)Where the Treasury make arrangements with the Welsh Ministers under subsection (8) of that section, the Auditor General must carry out the audit required by paragraph (c) of that subsection.

(10)No order under sub-paragraph (5) which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act is to be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(11)A statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (5) is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I182This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reports in public interestU.K.

19(1)If the Auditor General thinks that it would be in the public interest to bring to the public's attention a matter coming to the Auditor General's notice in the course of an examination or study to which sub-paragraph (2) applies, the Auditor General may prepare a report on that matter.U.K.

(2)This sub-paragraph applies to—

(a)an examination of auditable accounts (other than accounts falling to be examined under paragraph 18(3)(a)), and

(b)an examination or study under section 135 or 140 of this Act, section 145 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) (examinations into use of resources by body specified in Schedule 17 to that Act) or section 145A of that Act (studies for improving economy etc. in services provided by relevant bodies), except one undertaken at the request of the body or bodies to which it relates.

(3)The Auditor General must, as soon as practicable after preparing a report under sub-paragraph (1), lay the report before the Assembly.

(4)In this paragraph “auditable accounts” has the same meaning as in paragraph 17.

Commencement Information

I183This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Certification of claims, returns etc.U.K.

20(1)The Auditor General must, if so required by a relevant body, make arrangements for—U.K.

(a)certifying any claim or return in respect of a grant made or subsidy paid to that body by the Welsh Ministers, any Minister of the Crown or any public authority,

(b)certifying any account submitted by that body to the Welsh Ministers, any Minister of the Crown or any public authority with a view to obtaining payment under a contract between that body and the Welsh Ministers, the Minister of the Crown or the public authority,

(c)certifying that body's calculation under paragraph 5(6)(a) of Schedule 8 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41) of the amount of its non-domestic rating contribution for a financial year, and for certifying the amount calculated, or

(d)certifying any return by that body which, by or under any enactment, is required or authorised to be certified by the body's auditor or under arrangements made by the Auditor General.

(2)In this paragraph—

  • public authority” means a body established by or under [F56EU] Treaties or any enactment, and

  • relevant body” means at any time—

    (a)

    a body whose accounts, or statements of accounts, are auditable accounts within the meaning of paragraph 17(7), or

    (b)

    a body which at that time is a local government body in Wales (within the meaning given in section 12(1) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23)).

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I184This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Ancillary powersU.K.

F33821U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Section 149

SCHEDULE 9U.K.Devolution issues

Part 1 U.K.Preliminary

1(1)In this Schedule “devolution issue” means—U.K.

(a)a question whether an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, or any provision of an Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly, is within the Assembly's legislative competence,

(b)a question whether any function (being a function which any person has purported, or is proposing, to exercise) is exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

(c)a question whether the purported or proposed exercise of a function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is, or would be, within the powers of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (including a question whether a purported or proposed exercise of a function is, or would be, outside those powers by virtue of section 80(8) or 81(1)),

(d)a question whether there has been any failure to comply with a duty imposed on the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General (including any obligation imposed by virtue of section 80(1) or (7)), or

(e)a question of whether a failure to act by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is incompatible with any of the Convention rights.

(2)In this Schedule “civil proceedings” means proceedings other than criminal proceedings.

Commencement Information

I185This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

2U.K.A devolution issue is not to be taken to arise in any proceedings merely because of any contention of a party to the proceedings which appears to the court or tribunal before which the proceedings take place to be frivolous or vexatious.

Commencement Information

I186This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 2 U.K.Proceedings in England and Wales

Application of Part 2U.K.

3U.K.This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in England and Wales.

Commencement Information

I187This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedingsU.K.

4(1)Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Attorney General or the Counsel General.U.K.

(2)The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Attorney General.

(3)This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I188This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Notice of devolution issueU.K.

5(1)A court or tribunal must order notice of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Attorney General and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings).U.K.

(2)A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I189This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to High Court or Court of AppealU.K.

6U.K.A magistrates' court may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the High Court.

Commencement Information

I190This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

7(1)A court may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal.U.K.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply—

(a)to a magistrates' court, the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, or

(b)to the High Court if the devolution issue arises in proceedings on a reference under paragraph 6.

Commencement Information

I191This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

8U.K.A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I192This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

9U.K.A court, other than the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in criminal proceedings before it to—

(a)the High Court if the proceedings are summary proceedings, or

(b)the Court of Appeal if the proceedings are proceedings on indictment.

Commencement Information

I193This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from Court of Appeal to Supreme CourtU.K.

10U.K.The Court of Appeal may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 7, 8 or 9) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I194This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from superior courts to Supreme CourtU.K.

11U.K.An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the High Court or the Court of Appeal on a reference under paragraph 6, 7, 8 or 9 lies to the Supreme Court but only—

(a)with permission of the court from which the appeal lies, or

(b)failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I195This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 3 U.K.Proceedings in Scotland

Application of Part 3U.K.

12U.K.This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in Scotland.

Commencement Information

I196This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedingsU.K.

13(1)Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Advocate General for Scotland.U.K.

(2)The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Advocate General for Scotland.

(3)This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I197This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Intimation of devolution issueU.K.

14(1)A court or tribunal must order intimation of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Advocate General for Scotland and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings).U.K.

(2)A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I198This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to higher courtU.K.

15U.K.A court, other than any court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in civil proceedings before it to the Inner House of the Court of Session.

Commencement Information

I199This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

16U.K.A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Inner House of the Court of Session; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I200This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

17U.K.A court, other than any court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary, may refer any devolution issue which arises in criminal proceedings before it to the High Court of Justiciary.

Commencement Information

I201This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from superior courts to Supreme CourtU.K.

18U.K.Any court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 15 or 16) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I202This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

19U.K.Any court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 17) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I203This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from superior courts to Supreme CourtU.K.

20U.K.An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the Inner House of the Court of Session on a reference under paragraph 15 or 16 lies to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I204This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

21U.K.An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by—

(a)a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court of Justiciary (whether in the ordinary course of proceedings or on a reference under paragraph 17), or

(b)a court consisting of three or more judges of the Court of Session from which there is no appeal to the Supreme Court apart from this paragraph,

lies to the Supreme Court, but only with permission of the court from which the appeal lies or, failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I205This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 4 U.K.Proceedings in Northern Ireland

Application of Part 4U.K.

22U.K.This Part applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I206This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Institution of proceedingsU.K.

23(1)Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.U.K.

(2)The Counsel General may defend any such proceedings instituted by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

(3)This paragraph does not limit any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Commencement Information

I207This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Notice of devolution issueU.K.

24(1)A court or tribunal must order notice of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland and the Counsel General (unless a party to the proceedings).U.K.

(2)A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Commencement Information

I208This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Reference of devolution issue to Court of AppealU.K.

25U.K.A court, other than the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland or the Supreme Court, may refer any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I209This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

26U.K.A tribunal from which there is no appeal must refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

Commencement Information

I210This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References from Court of Appeal to Supreme CourtU.K.

27U.K.The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 25 or 26) to the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I211This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Appeals from Court of Appeal to Supreme CourtU.K.

28U.K.An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland on a reference under paragraph 25 or 26 lies to the Supreme Court but only—

(a)with permission of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, or

(b)failing such permission, with permission of the Supreme Court.

Commencement Information

I212This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Part 5 U.K.General

Direct references to Supreme CourtU.K.

29(1)The relevant officer may require any court or tribunal to refer to the Supreme Court any devolution issue which has arisen in any proceedings before it to which that person is a party.U.K.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “the relevant officer” means—

(a)in relation to proceedings in England and Wales, the Attorney General or the Counsel General,

(b)in relation to proceedings in Scotland, the Advocate General for Scotland, and

(c)in relation to proceedings in Northern Ireland, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I213This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

30(1)The Attorney General or the Counsel General may refer to the Supreme Court any devolution issue which is not the subject of proceedings.U.K.

(2)Where a reference is made under sub-paragraph (1) by the Attorney General in relation to a devolution issue which relates to the proposed exercise of a function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General—

(a)the Attorney General must notify the Counsel General of that fact, and

(b)the function must not be exercised by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in the manner proposed during the period beginning with the receipt of the notification and ending with the reference being decided or otherwise disposed of.

Commencement Information

I214This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

CostsU.K.

31(1)A court or tribunal before which any proceedings take place may take account of any additional expense of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) in deciding any question as to costs or expenses.U.K.

(2)In deciding any such question the court or tribunal may award the whole or part of the additional expense as costs or expenses to the party who incurred it (whatever the decision on the devolution issue).

(3)The additional expense is any additional expense which the court or tribunal considers that any party to the proceedings has incurred as a result of the participation of any person in pursuance of paragraph 5, 14 or 24.

Commencement Information

I215This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Procedure of courts and tribunalsU.K.

32U.K.Any power to make provision for regulating the procedure before any court or tribunal includes power to make provision for the purposes of this Schedule including, in particular, provision—

(a)for prescribing the stage in the proceedings at which a devolution issue is to be raised or referred,

(b)for the staying or sisting of proceedings for the purpose of any proceedings under this Schedule, and

(c)for determining the manner in which and the time within which any notice or intimation is to be given.

Commencement Information

I216This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

References to be for decisionU.K.

33U.K.Any function conferred by this Schedule to refer a devolution issue to a court is to be construed as a function of referring the issue to the court for decision.

Commencement Information

I217This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Section 160

SCHEDULE 10U.K.Minor and consequential amendments

Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36)U.K.

1U.K.The Statutory Instruments Act 1946 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I218This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

2U.K.In section 1 (definition of “statutory instrument”), for subsection (1A) substitute—

(1A)Where by any Act power to make, confirm or approve orders, rules, regulations or other subordinate legislation is conferred on the Welsh Ministers and the power is expressed to be exercisable by statutory instrument, any document by which that power is exercised shall be known as a “statutory instrument” and the provisions of this Act shall apply to it accordingly.

Commencement Information

I219This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

3U.K.After section 11 insert—

11AApplication in relation to Wales

(1)References in this Act to any Act include references to any Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales.

(2)Sections 4 to 7 and 8(1)(b) apply as if the references in them to—

(a)Parliament,

(b)either or each House of Parliament, or

(c)both Houses of Parliament,

include references to the National Assembly for Wales.

(3)In the application of subsection (1) of section 4 by virtue of subsection (2), the reference to the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Speaker of the House of Lords is to the Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales.

(4)Where—

(a)by any Act it is provided that any statutory instrument shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales, and

(b)a copy of the instrument is not laid before that Assembly at least 21 days before the instrument comes into operation,

notification shall be sent to the Presiding Officer of that Assembly when a copy of the instrument is laid before that Assembly drawing attention to the fact that a copy of it has not been laid before that Assembly at least 21 days before it comes into operation and explaining why.

(5)In the application of section 5 by virtue of subsection (2)—

(a)the reference in subsection (1) of that section to a resolution that an Address be presented praying that the instrument be annulled is to a resolution that the instrument be annulled,

(b)in a case where the instrument was made by the Welsh Ministers alone, the power in that subsection of Her Majesty to revoke the instrument by Order in Council is a power of the Welsh Ministers to revoke it by order made by statutory instrument which is to be laid before the National Assembly for Wales after being made, and

(c)the reference in subsection (2) of that section to an Act containing provisions of the kind mentioned in that subsection is to an Act which contains a power in relation to which such provisions apply by virtue of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

(6)In the application of section 6 by virtue of subsection (2) the reference in subsection (2) of that section to an Act which contains provisions of the kind mentioned in that subsection is to an Act which contains a power in relation to which such provisions apply by virtue of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

(7)In the application of section 7 by virtue of subsection (2) the reference in subsection (1) of that section to any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days is to any time during which the National Assembly for Wales is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.

(8)References in this Act to the Welsh Ministers, other than the second reference in subsection (5)(b), include the First Minister for Wales and the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I220This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Laying of Documents before Parliament (Interpretation) Act 1948 (c. 59)U.K.

4U.K.In section 1 of the Laying of Documents before Parliament (Interpretation) Act 1948 (meaning of references to laying before Parliament), after subsection (1) insert—

(1A)A reference in any enactment to laying any document before the National Assembly for Wales is (unless the contrary intention appears) to be construed as a reference to the taking, during any time when that Assembly is not dissolved, of such action as is specified in the standing orders of that Assembly as constituting the laying of a document before that Assembly, even if the action so specified consists (wholly or partly) of action capable of being taken when that Assembly is in recess.

Commencement Information

I221This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Defamation Act 1952 (c. 66)U.K.

5U.K.In section 10 of the Defamation Act 1952 (limitation on privilege at elections), after “local government authority” insert “ , to the National Assembly for Wales, ”.

Commencement Information

I222This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 (c. 11 (N.I.))U.K.

6U.K.In section 10(1) of the Defamation Act (Northern Ireland) 1955 (limitation on privilege at elections), after “Scottish Parliament” insert “ or to the National Assembly for Wales ”.

Commencement Information

I223This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)U.K.

7U.K.In the First Schedule to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition of “public records”), in the following provisions, for “the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”

(a)paragraph 2(2)(e),

(b)paragraph 5,

(c)paragraph 6, and

(d)paragraph 7(1).

Commencement Information

I224This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)U.K.

8U.K.In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments etc. subject to investigation), in the Note relating to the Environment Agency and the Note relating to the Forestry Commission, for “the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I225This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c. 56)U.K.

9U.K.In Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (official pensions), in paragraph 38B, for “section 18(2)(b) of the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ section 20(4)(b) or section 53(4)(b) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I226This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)U.K.

10U.K.In section 27(1) of the Local Government Act 1974 (provisions relating to complaints)—

(a)in paragraph (a), after “including” insert “ the Welsh Ministers, the National Assembly for Wales Commission or the ”, and

(b)in paragraph (b), for “National Assembly for Wales” (in both places) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I227This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)U.K.

11U.K.In the Interpretation Act 1978, after section 23A insert—

23BMeasures and Acts of the National Assembly for Wales etc.

(1)Subject as follows, the provisions of this Act—

(a)apply to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales as they apply to an Act, and

(b)apply to an instrument made under a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales as they apply to other subordinate legislation.

(2)Sections 1 to 3 do not apply to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales.

(3)In this Act references to an enactment include an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales.

(4)In the application of this Act to a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, references to the passing of an Act or an enactment are to be read as references to the enactment of the Measure or Act.

(5)Section 4(b) does not apply to a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales; but where such a Measure makes no provision for the coming into force of a provision contained in it, that provision comes into force at the beginning of the day on which the Measure is approved by Her Majesty in Council.

Commencement Information

I228This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65)U.K.

12U.K.In paragraph 5 of Schedule 31 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (financial provisions relating to urban development corporations: guarantees), for sub-paragraph (3) substitute—

(3)Any sums required for fulfilling a guarantee under this paragraph shall be charged on and issued out of—

(a)the Consolidated Fund, if required by the Treasury, or

(b)the Welsh Consolidated Fund, if required by the Welsh Ministers.

Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)U.K.

F33913U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

National Audit Act 1983 (c. 44)U.K.

14U.K.The National Audit Act 1983 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I229This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

15(1)Section 6 (departments, authorities and bodies subject to examinations by the Comptroller and Auditor General) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (3), for paragraph (aa) substitute—

(aa)the Welsh Ministers;

(ab)the National Assembly for Wales Commission;.

(3)After that subsection insert—

(3A)Before carrying out an examination under this section in respect of the Welsh Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a)consult the Auditor General for Wales, and

(b)take into account any relevant work done or being done by the Auditor General for Wales.

Commencement Information

I230This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

16(1)Section 8 (right to obtain documents and information) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), after “below” insert “ and except in relation to an examination under section 6 above in respect of the Welsh Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

(3)After subsection (2) insert—

(3)For the purpose of enabling an examination under section 6 above to be carried out in respect of the Welsh Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales Commission the Comptroller and Auditor General—

(a)shall have a right of access at all reasonable times to all such documents in the custody or under the control of any of the persons mentioned in subsection (4) below as may be reasonably required for that purpose, and

(b)shall be entitled to require from any person holding or accountable for any of those documents such information and explanation as are reasonably necessary for that purpose.

(4)The persons referred to in subsection (3)(a) above are—

(a)the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the National Assembly for Wales Commission,

(c)any other person audited by the Auditor General for Wales other than a Welsh NHS body (within the meaning given in section 60 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23)), and

(d)the Auditor General for Wales.

(5)Before acting in reliance on subsection (3) above the Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a)consult the Auditor General for Wales, and

(b)take into account any relevant work done or being done by the Auditor General for Wales.

Commencement Information

I231This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

17(1)Section 9 (reports to House of Commons) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)The existing provision is re-numbered as subsection (1).

(3)After that subsection insert—

(2)If the Comptroller and Auditor General reports the results of an examination carried out under section 6 above in respect of the Welsh Ministers or the National Assembly for Wales Commission to the House of Commons, the Comptroller and Auditor General shall at the same time lay a report of the results of the examination before the National Assembly for Wales.

Commencement Information

I232This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)U.K.

18U.K.In section 427(6B)(b) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (application to the National Assembly for Wales), for “section 12(2) of the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ section 16(2) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I233This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64)U.K.

19U.K.In section 26(1) of the Public Order Act 1986 (saving for reports of parliamentary proceedings), after “Scottish Parliament” insert “ or in the National Assembly for Wales ”.

Commencement Information

I234This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Finance Act 1987 (c. 16)U.K.

20U.K.In section 55(1)(c) of the Finance Act 1987 (exemption from stamp duty for the National Assembly for Wales), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government or the National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I235This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41)U.K.

21U.K.In Schedule 8 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (non-domestic rating: pooling), after paragraph 15 insert—

Source of payments by Welsh MinistersU.K.

16Sums required for the making of payments by the Welsh Ministers under this Part of this Schedule are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

Commencement Information

I236This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48)U.K.

22U.K.The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I237This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

23U.K.In section 12(9) (duration of copyright in literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works), for “166B” substitute “ 166D ”.

Commencement Information

I238This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

24U.K.In section 49 (public records), for “the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I239This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

25U.K.In section 153(2) (qualification for copyright protection), for “166B” substitute “ 166D ”.

Commencement Information

I240This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

26(1)Section 163 (Crown copyright) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)Omit subsection (1A).

(3)In subsection (6), for “166B” substitute “ 166D ”.

Commencement Information

I241This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

27(1)Section 164 (copyright in Acts and Measures) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), after “Scottish Parliament,” insert “ Measure of the National Assembly for Wales, Act of the National Assembly for Wales, ”.

(3)In subsection (2), for the words after “subsists” substitute—

(a)in the case of an Act or a Measure of the General Synod of the Church of England, until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which Royal Assent was given, and

(b)in the case of a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales, until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the Measure was approved by Her Majesty in Council.

Commencement Information

I242This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

28U.K.After section 166B insert—

166CCopyright in proposed Measures of the National Assembly for Wales

(1)Copyright in every proposed Assembly Measure introduced into the National Assembly for Wales belongs to the National Assembly for Wales Commission.

(2)Copyright under this section subsists from the time when the text of the proposed Assembly Measure is handed in to the Assembly for introduction—

(a)until the proposed Assembly Measure is approved by Her Majesty in Council, or

(b)if the proposed Assembly Measure is not approved by Her Majesty in Council, until it is withdrawn or rejected or no further proceedings of the Assembly may be taken in respect of it.

(3)References in this Part to Parliamentary copyright (except in section 165) include copyright under this section; and, except as mentioned above, the provisions of this Part apply in relation to copyright under this section as to other Parliamentary copyright.

(4)No other copyright, or right in the nature of copyright, subsists in a proposed Assembly Measure after copyright has once subsisted under this section; but without prejudice to the subsequent operation of this section in relation to a proposed Assembly Measure which, not having been approved by Her Majesty in Council, is later reintroduced into the Assembly.

166DCopyright in Bills of the National Assembly for Wales

(1)Copyright in every Bill introduced into the National Assembly for Wales belongs to the National Assembly for Wales Commission.

(2)Copyright under this section subsists from the time when the text of the Bill is handed in to the Assembly for introduction—

(a)until the Bill receives Royal Assent, or

(b)if the Bill does not receive Royal Assent, until it is withdrawn or rejected or no further proceedings of the Assembly may be taken in respect of it.

(3)References in this Part to Parliamentary copyright (except in section 165) include copyright under this section; and, except as mentioned above, the provisions of this Part apply in relation to copyright under this section as to other Parliamentary copyright.

(4)No other copyright, or right in the nature of copyright, subsists in a Bill after copyright has once subsisted under this section; but without prejudice to the subsequent operation of this section in relation to a Bill which, not having received Royal Assent, is later reintroduced into the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I243This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

29(1)Section 178 (minor definitions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In the definition of “the Crown”, after “the Scottish Administration” insert “ , of the Welsh F37... Government ”.

(3)In the definition of “parliamentary proceedings”, after “European Parliament” insert “ and Assembly proceedings within the meaning of section 1(5) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I244This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

30U.K.In section 179 (index of defined expressions), in column 2 of the entry for “Parliamentary copyright”, for “and 166B(3)” substitute “ 166B(3) 166C(3) and 166D(3) ”.

Commencement Information

I245This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

31(1)Section 263(1) (Part 3: minor definitions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In the definition of “the Crown”, insert at the end “ and the Crown in right of the Welsh F37... Government ”.

(3)In the definition of “government department”, insert at the end “ and any part of the WelshF37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I246This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

32U.K.In paragraph 10(1) of Schedule 2 (public records), for “the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I247This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Housing Act 1988 (c. 50)U.K.

33U.K.In paragraph 5 of Schedule 8 to the Housing Act 1988 (financial provisions relating to housing action trusts: guarantees), for sub-paragraph (3) substitute—

(3)Any sums required for fulfilling a guarantee under this paragraph shall be charged on and issued out of—

(a)the Consolidated Fund, if required by the Treasury, or

(b)the Welsh Consolidated Fund, if required by the Welsh Ministers.

Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)U.K.

34U.K.In section 12 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 (meaning of “Crown servant” and “government contractor”)—

(a)in subsection (1), after paragraph (aa) insert—

(ab)the First Minister for Wales, a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government or a Deputy Welsh Minister;, and

(b)in subsection (2), in paragraph (a), after “(a)” insert “ , (ab) ” and omit paragraph (aa).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I248This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8)U.K.

35U.K.In section 321B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (planning inquiries relating to Wales: national security)—

(a)in subsection (2), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)omit subsection (5).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I249This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9)U.K.

36U.K.In paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (local inquiries relating to Wales: national security)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (2), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)omit sub-paragraph (5).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I250This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (c. 10)U.K.

37U.K.In paragraph 8 of the Schedule to the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (local inquiries relating to Wales: national security)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (2), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)omit sub-paragraph (5).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I251This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)U.K.

38U.K.In section 16(1) of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (interpretation), in the definition of “Minister”, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I252This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23)U.K.

39U.K.In section 41(6) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (meaning of “Government department”), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I253This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Defamation Act 1996 (c. 31)U.K.

40U.K.In paragraph 11(1)(c) of Schedule 1 to the Defamation Act 1996 (qualified privilege: accurate reports of proceedings of inquiries etc.), after “Scottish Executive” insert “ , the Welsh Ministers or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I254This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)U.K.

41U.K.The Government of Wales Act 1998 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I255This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

42(1)Section 28 (reform of other Welsh public bodies) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)For “Assembly” (in each place) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (2), for “considers” substitute “ consider ”.

(4)After subsection (7) insert—

(7A)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I256Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

43(1)Section 104 (Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)For “Assembly” (in each place) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (2)—

(a)for “it”, in the first place, substitute “ they ”, and

(b)for “it considers” substitute “ they consider ”.

(4)In subsection (3), for “it considers” (in both places) substitute “ they consider ”.

(5)In subsection (4), for “it is” substitute “ they are ”.

(6)In subsection (4A)—

(a)for “it”, in the first and third places, substitute “ them ”, and

(b)for “it is” substitute “ they are ”.

(7)In subsection (4B), for “it gives its” substitute “ they give their ”.

(8)Omit subsection (5).

Commencement Information

I257Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

44(1)Section 105 (Forestry Commissioners) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)For “Assembly” (in each place) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (2)—

(a)for “it”, in the first place, substitute “ they ”, and

(b)for “considers” substitute “ consider ”.

(4)In subsection (3), for “it considers” (in both places) substitute “ they consider ”.

(5)In subsection (4), for “it is” substitute “ they are ”.

Commencement Information

I258Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

45(1)Section 144 (power of Secretary of State by order to make provision about accounts etc. of bodies specified in Schedule 17) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Secretary of State” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (3)—

(a)for paragraph (a) substitute—

(a)the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government to designate accounting officers and to specify their responsibilities,, and

(b)in paragraph (d), for “Assembly (or, before the first ordinary election, by the Secretary of State)” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)For subsection (4) substitute—

(4)The Welsh Ministers may by order make provision for the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government to designate accounting officers of any body specified in Part 3 of Schedule 17 and to specify their responsibilities.

(4A)An order under subsection (1) or (4) may not remove or restrict any function of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

(5)After subsection (5) insert—

(5A)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) or (4), other than an order to which subsection (5B) applies, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

(5B)No order to which this subsection applies may be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(5C)Subsection (5B) applies to an order under subsection (1) or (4) which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act of Parliament, Assembly Measure or Act of the Assembly.

(6)Omit subsection (6).

(7)In subsection (8)—

(a)for “Secretary of State” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)in paragraph (a), after “other than” insert “ the National Assembly for Wales Commission, ”.

(8)After that subsection insert—

(8ZA)No order under subsection (8) may be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(9)Omit subsection (8A).

(10)In subsection (9), before the word “and” at the end of paragraph (b) insert—

(ba)Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government” means the person appointed in accordance with section 52 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 to be the head of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government (whether or not that person is known by the title of Permanent Secretary to the Welsh F37... Government),.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I259Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

46(1)Section 145 (examinations by Auditor General into discharge of functions by bodies and offices specified in Schedule 17) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (3), omit “(or, before the first ordinary election, the views of the Secretary of State)”.

(3)In subsection (7), for “section 96(3)(b)” substitute “ paragraph 18(3)(b) of Schedule 8 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (agreement between a person and the Welsh Ministers etc. to permit the Auditor General to carry out an examination into the discharge of functions by that person) ”.

Commencement Information

I260Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

47U.K.In section 145A(5) (studies by Auditor General into discharge of functions by relevant bodies: meaning of “relevant body”), for paragraph (a) substitute—

(a)a person who prepares accounts or statements of accounts falling to be examined by the Auditor General for Wales in accordance with any provision made by or under this or any other Act;.

Commencement Information

I261Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

48(1)Section 145C (studies by Auditor General into discharge of functions by registered social landlords) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (3), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)In subsection (6), for “section 95(3)(a) or (b)” substitute “ paragraph 17(3)(a) or (b) of Schedule 8 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (requirement to give assistance, information or explanation to the Auditor General for Wales) ”.

(5)In subsection (8), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I262Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

49U.K.In section 146(4) (power of Secretary of State by order to transfer etc. functions from the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Auditor General), for “22” substitute “ 58 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I263Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

50(1)Section 146A (transfer etc. of supervisory functions from the Assembly to the Auditor General) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “its” (in both places) substitute “ their ”.

(3)In subsection (3), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)After subsection (5) insert—

(6)No order under subsection (1) may be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.

(5)In the heading, for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I264Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

51(1)Section 147 (power of Secretary of State by order to make provision about Environment Agency's Welsh functions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1)(a), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (3), for “22” substitute “ 58 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

(4)In subsection (4), for “Assembly” (in each place) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I265Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

52U.K.In section 151(2) (power to make consequential amendments), for “22” substitute “ 58 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I266Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

53(1)Section 154 (orders and directions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (3)—

(a)omit paragraph (a), and

(b)in paragraph (b)—

(i)omit “96(5), 117,”, and

(ii)omit “144(1) or (4),”.

(4)Omit subsection (4).

(5)In subsection (6)—

(a)in paragraph (a)—

(i)omit from “3” to “118(1)(f),”,

(ii)omit “144(1) or (4),”, and

(iii)omit “or paragraph 17(9) of Schedule 9”, and

(b)omit paragraph (b).

(6)Omit subsection (7).

Commencement Information

I267Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

54(1)Section 155 (interpretation) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), insert the following definitions in the appropriate places—

  • the Assembly” means the National Assembly for Wales,,

Audit Committee” has the meaning given by section 30 of the Government of Wales Act 2006,,

cross-border body” means any body (including a government department) or undertaker exercising functions, or carrying on activities, in or with respect to Wales (or any part of Wales) and anywhere else,, and

English border area” means a part of England adjoining Wales (but not the whole of England),.

(3)In that subsection, omit the definitions of “Community law” and “delegate”.

(4)In that subsection, for the definition of “Wales” substitute—

Wales” has the same meaning as in the Government of Wales Act 2006;.

(5)Omit subsection (2).

(6)In subsection (3), omit the words from “; and the” to the end.

Commencement Information

I268Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

55(1)Schedule 7 (Forestry Commissioners) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In paragraph 2 (functions of making subordinate legislation), for sub-paragraphs (2) to (8) substitute—

(2)No provision—

(a)requiring the statutory instrument, or a draft of the statutory instrument, to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament,

(b)for the annulment or approval of the statutory instrument, or a draft of the statutory instrument, by or in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament or of both Houses, or

(c)prohibiting the making of the statutory instrument without such approval,

has effect in relation to the function.

(3)But the subordinate legislation may not be made without the consent of the Welsh Ministers.

(3)In paragraph 4(3) (receipts)—

(a)for “The Assembly” substitute “ The Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “the Assembly” substitute “ them ”.

(4)In paragraph 10(1) (reports), for “Assembly directs” (in both places) substitute “ Welsh Ministers direct ”.

Commencement Information

I269Sch. 10 paras. 42-55 in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" by s. 161(4)(d)

Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42)U.K.

56(1)Section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (interpretation) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In the definition of “primary legislation”, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government, ”.

(3)In the definition of “subordinate legislation”, after paragraph (b) insert—

(ba)Measure of the National Assembly for Wales;

(bb)Act of the National Assembly for Wales;.

(4)In paragraph (h) of that definition, after “Executive” insert “ , Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government, ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I270This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (c. 20)U.K.

57U.K.In section 10 of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (designation of body by Treasury for purposes of preparing whole of government accounts), in—

(a)subsection (7) (duty to consult with Assembly), and

(b)subsection (8) (power to make arrangements with Assembly),

for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I271This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)U.K.

58U.K.The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I272This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

59U.K.In section 8(3)(b) (functions exercisable only on recommendation of Electoral Commission), for “11 of the Government of Wales Act 1998” substitute “ 13 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

Commencement Information

I273This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

60U.K.In section 10(6) (bodies to which Electoral Commission may give advice and assistance), after paragraph (c) insert—

(ca)the National Assembly for Wales Commission;.

Commencement Information

I274This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

61U.K.In section 13 (power of Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of electoral and democratic systems), after subsection (11) insert—

(12)Subsection (6) shall not apply to the expenditure incurred by the Commission to the extent that it is, or is to be, met under paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Finance Act 2003 (c. 14)U.K.

62U.K.The Finance Act 2003 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I275This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

63U.K.In section 61(3) (stamp duty land tax: compliance with planning obligations), for the entry relating to the National Assembly for Wales substitute— “ The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales and the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I276This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

64U.K.In section 66(4) (stamp duty land tax: transfers involving public bodies)—

(a)for the entry relating to the National Assembly for Wales substitute— “ The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales and the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)after the entry relating to the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission insert— “ The National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I277This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

65U.K.In section 107(2) (stamp duty land tax: Crown application)—

(a)after the entry relating to a Northern Ireland department insert— “ The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales and the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)for the entry relating to the National Assembly for Wales substitute— “ The National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I278This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

[F340Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5)]U.K.

Textual Amendments

66[F340(1)Section 60 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Wales Spatial Plan) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (2)—

(a)for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “it thinks” substitute “ they think ”.

(3)In subsection (3), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)In subsection (4), for the words from “Assembly” to “appropriate)” substitute “ Welsh Ministers revise the Plan, they must publish (as they consider appropriate) ”.

(5)In subsection (5)—

(a)for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “it considers” substitute “ they consider ”.

(6)For subsection (6) substitute—

(6)The Welsh Ministers may not publish the Plan as revised or the revised parts of the Plan unless the Plan or the revised parts have been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.

(7)Omit subsection (7).]

Commencement Information

I279This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10)U.K.

67U.K.The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I280This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

68U.K.In section 7(3)(b) (relevant action: Welsh health service bodies), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I281This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

69U.K.In section 8(2) (exclusion from investigation for matters not relating to Wales: exception for Assembly), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I282This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

70U.K.In section 9(1)(b) (exclusion from investigation of matters: right of appeal to Assembly), for “or the Assembly” substitute “ , the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I283This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

71(1)Section 10 (other excluded matters) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)For “Assembly” (in both places) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)After subsection (3) insert—

(3A)No order is to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I284This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

72U.K.In section 12 (decisions not to investigate etc.), omit subsection (9).

Commencement Information

I285This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

73(1)Section 16 (reports of investigations) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (2)(f)—

(a)for “Assembly First Secretary” substitute “ First Minister for Wales ”, and

(b)for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government ”.

(3)Omit subsection (9).

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I286This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

74U.K.In section 21 (reports: alternative procedure), omit subsection (11).

Commencement Information

I287This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

75U.K.In section 23 (special reports: supplementary), omit subsection (6).

Commencement Information

I288This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

76(1)Section 24 (special reports relating to the Assembly) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government or the National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

(3)In subsection (2)—

(a)for “Assembly First Secretary” substitute “ relevant person ”, and

(b)omit paragraph (b).

(4)After that subsection insert—

(2A)In subsection (2) “the relevant person” means—

(a)if the complaint was made in respect of the Welsh F37... Government, the First Minister for Wales, and

(b)if the complaint was made in respect of the National Assembly for Wales Commission, a member of that Commission.

(5)Omit subsection (3).

(6)In the side-note, for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government etc. ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I289This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

77(1)Section 25 (consultation and co-operation with other ombudsmen) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsections (8) and (9), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)After subsection (9) insert—

(10)No order is to be made under subsection (8) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I290This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

78(1)Section 28 (listed authorities) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsections (2) and (4), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)After subsection (4) insert—

(4A)No order is to be made under subsection (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I291This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

79(1)Section 29 (restrictions on power to amend Schedule 3) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh F37... Government or the National Assembly for Wales Commission ”.

(3)In subsection (2)(b), for “Assembly has” substitute “ Welsh Ministers have, or the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government has, ”.

(4)In subsection (3)—

(a)in paragraphs (a) and (b), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”, and

(b)in paragraph (c), for “directly from payments made by the Assembly or other listed authorities” substitute “ out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund or is met directly from payments made by other listed authorities ”.

(5)In subsection (5)—

(a)in paragraph (a), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)in paragraph (b), for “directly or indirectly from payments made by the Assembly or other listed authorities” substitute “ out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund or directly or indirectly from payments made by other listed authorities ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I292This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

80(1)Section 30 (provisions in orders adding persons to Schedule 3) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)for “Assembly proposes” substitute “ Welsh Ministers propose ”, and

(b)for “it must” substitute “ they must ”.

(3)In subsection (2), for “Assembly has” substitute “ Welsh Ministers have, or the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government has, ”.

(4)In subsection (3)—

(a)in paragraph (a), for “Assembly has” substitute “ Welsh Ministers have, or the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government has, ”, and

(b)in paragraph (b), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I293This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

81U.K.In section 40 (commencement), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I294This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

82(1)Section 41 (interpretation) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)omit the definition of “Assembly Cabinet”,

(b)in the definition of “relevant tribunal”, for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”,

(c)in the definition of “social landlord in Wales”—

(i)in paragraph (a), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ” and after “section by” insert “ the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, ”, and

(ii)in paragraph (b), for “or the Assembly” substitute “ , the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or the Welsh Ministers ”, and

(d)in the definition of “Welsh health service body”, for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (2), for “Assembly” (in both places) substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)After that subsection insert—

(2A)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (1) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

(5)In subsection (3), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(6)In subsection (4)—

(a)for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “it thinks” substitute “ they think ”.

(7)After that subsection insert—

(4A)No order is to be made under subsection (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I295This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

83(1)Section 42 (former health care providers and social landlords) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (4)(a)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (i), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ” and after “section by” insert “ the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, ”, and

(b)in sub-paragraph (ii), for “or the Assembly” substitute “ , the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or the Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)After subsection (5) insert—

(6)No regulations are to be made under this section unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing them has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I296This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

84(1)Section 43 (consequential and transitional provision) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1)—

(a)for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “it thinks” substitute “ they think ”.

(3)After subsection (3) insert—

(4)No order is to be made under subsection (1) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Commencement Information

I297This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

85(1)Section 44 (orders, regulations and directions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsections (1) and (2), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)Omit subsection (3).

Commencement Information

I298This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

86(1)Schedule 1 (Public Service Ombudsman for Wales: appointment etc.) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)For paragraph 1 (appointment) substitute—

1The Ombudsman is to be appointed by Her Majesty on the nomination of the Assembly.

(3)In paragraph 3 (term of office)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (3), for paragraph (b) substitute—

(b)on Her Majesty being satisfied that the person is incapable for medical reasons of performing the duties of the office.,

(b)in sub-paragraph (4), for the words following “Ombudsman” substitute “ on the making of a recommendation, on the ground of the person's misbehaviour, that Her Majesty should do so. ”, and

(c)for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

(5)A recommendation for the removal of a person from office as the Ombudsman may not be made unless—

(a)the Assembly has resolved that the recommendation should be made, and

(b)the resolution of the Assembly is passed on a vote in which the number of Assembly members voting in favour of it is not less than two-thirds of the total number of Assembly seats.

(4)In paragraph 4 (acting Public Service Ombudsman for Wales), for sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute—

(1)If the office of the Ombudsman becomes vacant, Her Majesty may, on the nomination of the Assembly, appoint a person to act as the Ombudsman.

(5)In paragraph 5(1)(d) (disqualification from being Ombudsman or acting Ombudsman), for “section 12(1)(ca) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)” substitute “ section 16(1)(d) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 ”.

(6)In paragraph 7(3) (exceptions from disqualifications applying to former Ombudsman or acting Ombudsman)—

(a)in paragraph (a), after “Assembly” insert “ or the National Assembly for Wales Commission ”, and

(b)in paragraph (b), for “Assembly First Secretary or Assembly Secretary” substitute “ First Minister for Wales, Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government or Deputy Welsh Minister ”.

(7)In paragraph 9 (remuneration etc.), after sub-paragraph (5) insert—

(6)Sums required for the making of payments under sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (5) are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(8)For paragraph 10 (expenses) substitute—

Special financial provisionsU.K.

10(1)Any sums payable by the Ombudsman in consequence of a breach, in the performance of any of the Ombudsman's functions, of any contractual or other duty are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(2)And sub-paragraph (1) applies whether the breach occurs by reason of an act or omission of—

(a)the Ombudsman,

(b)a member of the Ombudsman's staff, or

(c)any other person acting on the Ombudsman's behalf or assisting the Ombudsman in the exercise of functions.

(3)The Ombudsman may retain income derived from fees charged by virtue of sections 12(6), 16(6), 21(8) and 23(2) (rather than pay it into the Welsh Consolidated Fund) for use in connection with the exercise of the functions conferred or imposed by this Act.

(9)In paragraph 11(5) (payments by Assembly to Minister for the Civil Service in respect of superannuation benefits for Ombudsman's staff)—

(a)for “Assembly” substitute “ Ombudsman ”, and

(b)for “he” (in both places) substitute “ the Minister ”.

(10)In paragraph 13 (delegation), for sub-paragraph (4) substitute—

(4)No arrangements may be made between the Ombudsman, on the one hand, and the Welsh Ministers (or the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government), on the other, for—

(a)any functions of one of them to be exercised by the other,

(b)any functions of the Welsh Ministers (or the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government) to be exercised by members of staff of the Ombudsman,

(c)any functions of the Ombudsman to be exercised by members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government, or

(d)the provision of administrative, professional or technical services by one of them for the other.

(11)In paragraph 14(3) (duty to send copy of extraordinary report to listed authorities other than the Assembly)—

(a)after “time” insert “ send a copy to the Welsh F37... Government and ”, and

(b)for “than the Assembly” substitute “ than the Welsh F37... Government ”.

(12)In paragraph 15 (estimates)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (2), for the words following “estimate” substitute “ at least five months before the beginning of the financial year to which it relates to the committee or committees of the Assembly specified in the standing orders of the Assembly. ”,

(b)in sub-paragraph (3)—

(i)for “Assembly Cabinet” substitute “ committee or committees ”,

(ii)omit “to it”, and

(iii)for “it thinks” substitute “ thought ”, and

(c)for sub-paragraph (4) substitute—

(4)Before laying before the Assembly with modifications an estimate submitted in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), the committee or committees must—

(a)consult the Ombudsman, and

(b)take into account any representations which the Ombudsman may make.

(13)In paragraph 18 (accounting officer)—

(a)for “Treasury” (in each place) substitute “ Audit Committee ”, and

(b)in sub-paragraph (6)(a), for “Assembly Cabinet” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I299This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

87U.K.In paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 (excluded matters), for “Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales, the Counsel General to the Welsh F37... Government ”.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I300This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

88U.K.In Schedule 3 (listed authorities), under the heading “Government of Wales”, for the entry relating to the Assembly substitute—

The Welsh F37... Government.

The National Assembly for Wales Commission.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Commencement Information

I301This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Inquiries Act 2005 (c. 12)U.K.

89U.K.The Inquiries Act 2005 is amended as follows.

Commencement Information

I302This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

90U.K.In section 1(2) (“Ministers” who may cause inquiries to be held), after paragraph (b) insert—

(ba)the Welsh Ministers;, and omit the words following paragraph (c).

Commencement Information

I303This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

91(1)Section 27 (United Kingdom inquiries) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (3)(b), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(3)In subsection (7), in the definitions of “the relevant administration” and “Welsh matter”, for “National Assembly for Wales has” substitute “ Welsh Ministers have ”.

Commencement Information

I304This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

92U.K.In section 28(4) (Scottish inquiries), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I305This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

93(1)Section 29 (Welsh inquiries) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (1), for “National Assembly for Wales is” substitute “ Welsh Ministers are ”.

(3)In subsection (5), for “National Assembly for Wales has” substitute “ Welsh Ministers have ”.

Commencement Information

I306This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

94U.K.In section 30(5) (Northern Ireland inquiries), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I307This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

95(1)Section 41 (rules) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (3)(c)—

(a)for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”, and

(b)for “that Assembly is” substitute “ they are ”.

(3)In subsection (4)(a), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

(4)In subsection (5), after paragraph (a) insert—

(aa)if made by the Welsh Ministers, in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales;.

Commencement Information

I308This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

96U.K.In section 43(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “the relevant Parliament or Assembly”, for “National Assembly for Wales is responsible, that Assembly” substitute “ Welsh Ministers are responsible, the National Assembly for Wales ”.

Commencement Information

I309This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

97U.K.In section 51(2) (commencement), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”.

Commencement Information

I310This provision in force immediately after "the 2007 election" by s. 161(1) (subject to s. 161(4)(5))

Section 162

SCHEDULE 11U.K.Transitional provisions

Alteration of Assembly electoral regionsU.K.

F3411U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2007 election to be election to Assembly constituted by this ActU.K.

2U.K.The 2007 election is an election to the Assembly constituted by this Act (and not that constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)).

First meeting after 2007 electionU.K.

3U.K.The first meeting of the Assembly constituted by this Act after the 2007 election is to be held on the day specified by or in accordance with an order made by statutory instrument by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38); and that day must be within the period of seven days beginning immediately after the day of the poll at the 2007 election.

Date of 2011 electionU.K.

4U.K.Until the first ordinary general election (or any extraordinary general election the poll for which is held as mentioned in section 5(5)), section 3(1) has effect as if the reference to the previous ordinary general election were to the 2007 election.

No dual constituency and regional candidacyU.K.

5(1)Section 5 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (ordinary elections: party lists of candidates, and individual candidates, to be Assembly members for Assembly electoral regions) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (5) (those who may not be included on party list), for paragraphs (c) and (d) (candidate to be Assembly member for Assembly constituency outside electoral region and candidate of different party to be Assembly member for Assembly constituency within electoral region) substitute or

(c)who is a candidate to be the Assembly member for an Assembly constituency.

(3)In subsection (6) (those who may not be an individual candidate), for paragraphs (c) and (d) (candidate to be Assembly member for Assembly constituency outside electoral region and candidate of registered political party to be Assembly member for Assembly constituency within electoral region) substitute or

(c)a candidate to be the Assembly member for an Assembly constituency.

6(1)Section 7 of that Act (return of electoral region members) is amended as follows.U.K.

(2)In subsection (6)(party to be disregarded once party list exhausted by return of all persons on it as constituency or electoral region members), omit “for Assembly constituencies or”.

(3)Omit subsection (10) (person on party list returned as Assembly member to be treated as ceasing to be on list for purposes of drawing on list at ordinary election or in case of vacancy in electoral region seat).

Electoral region vacancies before first general election etc.U.K.

7U.K.Section 11 has effect until the first general election as if—

(a)the references in subsections (2) and (8) to section 9 were to section 7 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, and

(b)the references to the last general election were to the 2007 election.

Election ordersU.K.

8U.K.An order under section 11 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act has effect after that time as if made under section 13 of this Act.

Term of office of Assembly membersU.K.

9U.K.Section 14 has effect until the first general election as if the reference in paragraph (a) to being declared to be returned included being declared to be returned at the 2007 election.

Disqualification OrdersU.K.

10U.K.An Order in Council under section 12(1)(b) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that provision by this Act has effect after that time as if made under section 16(1)(b) of this Act.

Disqualification of Lords of Appeal in OrdinaryU.K.

11U.K.A Lord of Appeal in Ordinary is disqualified from being a member of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or this Act.

Remuneration of Assembly members etc.U.K.

12(1)This paragraph has effect in relation to a determination under section 16 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act.U.K.

(2)So far as relating to the Assembly First Secretary elected under that Act and the Assembly Secretaries appointed under that Act, the determination has effect after that time as if made under section 53, and applies—

(a)in relation to the First Minister as it applied before that time in relation to the Assembly First Secretary elected under that Act, and

(b)in relation to the Welsh Ministers appointed under section 48 of this Act as it applied before that time in relation to the Assembly Secretaries appointed under that Act.

(3)Otherwise, the determination has effect after that time as if made under section 20, and applies—

(a)in relation to the Presiding Officer as it applied before that time in relation to the presiding officer elected under the Government of Wales Act 1998,

(b)in relation to the Deputy Presiding Officer as it applied before that time in relation to the deputy presiding officer elected under that Act,

(c)in relation to the leader of the largest political group without an executive role as it applied before that time in relation to the leader of the largest political party not represented on the executive committee constituted by that Act, and

(d)in relation to any other Assembly member as it applied before that time in relation to members of the Assembly constituted by that Act.

(4)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(c) a political group is the largest political group without an executive role if—

(a)it is not a political group with an executive role, and

(b)more Assembly members belong to it than to each other political group which is not a political group with an executive role.

(5)This paragraph has effect in relation to determinations under section 18 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) as it has effect in relation to determinations under section 16 of that Act, but as if references in this paragraph to members of, or office-holders in connection with, the Assembly (as constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or this Act) were references to persons who have ceased to be such members or office-holders.

13U.K.An order under section 17 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act has effect after that time as if made under section 21.

Publication of information about remuneration of Assembly membersU.K.

14(1)Section 22(2) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.U.K.

(2)The Assembly constituted by this Act has the same duty in relation to that financial year as the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 would have by virtue of section 19 of that Act but for this Act.

(3)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008 the references in section 22(2) to salaries and allowances of the kind mentioned in section 20 include sums paid under sections 16 and 18 of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Assistance to groups of Assembly membersU.K.

15(1)A determination under section 34A of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act has effect after that time as if it were made in accordance with section 24.U.K.

(2)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008 the reference in subsection (6)(b) of section 24 to sums paid under that section includes sums paid under section 34A of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

First Presiding OfficerU.K.

16U.K.The reference in subsection (1) of section 25 to the first meeting of the Assembly following a general election includes a reference to the first meeting of the Assembly following the 2007 election.

First ClerkU.K.

17U.K.The member of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 who, immediately before the day of the poll at the 2007 election, holds the post referred to in the standing orders made under that Act as the Clerk to the Assembly is to be taken to be appointed under section 26(1) at the beginning of that day.

Promotion of awareness of election system and devolved governmentU.K.

18U.K.Paragraphs 5 and 6 of Schedule 2 have effect until the end of the initial period as if for the references to the Assembly Commission there were substituted references to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38).

Crown status of Assembly CommissionU.K.

19U.K.Sub-paragraph (4) of paragraph 12 of Schedule 2 has effect until the end of the initial period with the omission of paragraph (b) (and the word “or” before it).

Standing ordersU.K.

20(1)The Secretary of State must, no later than 31st March 2007, make the standing orders which are to have effect in relation to the proceedings of the Assembly following the 2007 election.U.K.

(2)The standing orders made under this paragraph—

(a)must include provision as to the matters which this Act requires to be covered by the standing orders, and

(b)may include provision as to the matters which this Act provides may be so covered.

(3)In making standing orders made under this paragraph the Secretary of State must give effect to any relevant Assembly proposals (but subject to sub-paragraph (5)).

(4)For this purpose proposals are relevant Assembly proposals if—

(a)they are proposals for the inclusion in the standing orders made under this paragraph of provision relating to any matters which must or may be covered by them,

(b)they are made by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 by a resolution passed by that Assembly,

(c)where the motion for the resolution is passed on a vote, at least two-thirds of the members of the Assembly voting support it,

(d)the proposals are made in both English and Welsh, and

(e)a copy of the proposals are sent to the Secretary of State no later than 28th February 2007.

(5)The Secretary of State may make modifications of any relevant Assembly proposals—

(a)in order to give full effect to what appears to the Secretary of State to be the policy contained in the proposals, or

(b)in consequence of other provision to be included in the standing orders made under this paragraph.

(6)The Secretary of State must publish the standing orders made under this paragraph as soon as reasonably practicable after they are made and must do so in both English and Welsh.

(7)The standing orders made under this paragraph have effect (subject to any revisions made by the Assembly under section 31) unless and until they are remade by the Assembly under that section.

Witnesses and documents: penaltiesU.K.

21U.K.In relation to an offence committed before the coming into force of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) the references in section 39(4)(b) and 40(3)(b) to 51 weeks are to three months.

Exercise of functions before appointment of first First MinisterU.K.

22(1)Nothing in this Act (including in particular the repeal of section 1 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)), or in that Act, is to be taken to dissolve the Assembly constituted by that Act until the end of the initial period.U.K.

(2)Despite this Act and section 2(5) of that Act, during the initial period the Assembly constituted by that Act is to be treated as consisting of the persons who—

(a)immediately before the beginning of the initial period, hold office as the Assembly First Secretary, an Assembly Secretary or the presiding officer, and

(b)are candidates to be Assembly members at the 2007 election.

(3)But a person ceases to be a member of that Assembly—

(a)if not returned as an Assembly member at that election, when the Assembly members for the Assembly constituency or Assembly electoral region for which that person is a candidate are returned, or

(b)if disqualified from being an Assembly member, when that disqualification takes effect.

(4)For so long as a person is a member of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 by virtue of this paragraph the person continues to be entitled to the same salary and allowances as the person was entitled to by virtue of section 16 of that Act immediately before the beginning of the initial period.

23(1)This paragraph and paragraph 24 have effect during the initial period.U.K.

(2)The functions of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, other than functions to which paragraph 24 applies, are exercisable—

(a)by the person who immediately before the beginning of the initial period held office as the Assembly First Secretary, if that person is a member of that Assembly, or

(b)by such of the persons who at that time held office as an Assembly Secretary and are members of that Assembly as those persons may designate, if that person is not a member of that Assembly (or if the office of Assembly First Secretary was vacant at that time).

(3)A person designated for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(b) must inform the Secretary of State of the designation as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4)Functions which are exercisable by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) may be delegated by the person by whom they are exercisable (to such extent as that person may determine) to any other member of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 who immediately before the beginning of the initial period held office as an Assembly Secretary.

(5)Functions which—

(a)are exercisable by virtue of sub-paragraph (2), or

(b)are delegated under sub-paragraph (4),

may be delegated by the person by whom they are exercisable or to whom they have been delegated (to such extent as that person may determine) to members of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38).

(6)Where a function is delegated under sub-paragraph (5), arrangements for the exercise of the function are to be made by the person who, immediately before the beginning of the initial period, was the Permanent Secretary to the Assembly for the purposes of section 63(2) of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(7)The delegation of any function under this paragraph does not prevent the exercise of the function by the person by whom the delegation is made.

(8)The exercise of any function in accordance with this paragraph is subject to any condition, limitation or restriction which applied to the exercise of that function immediately before the beginning of the initial period.

24(1)This paragraph applies to functions of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 which, immediately before the beginning of the initial period, were delegated under section 62 of that Act to the committee of the Assembly referred to in the standing orders made under that Act as the House Committee.U.K.

(2)Functions to which this paragraph applies are exercisable—

(a)by the person who, immediately before the beginning of the initial period, held office as the presiding officer of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, if that person is a member of that Assembly, or

(b)by the person who, at that time, held the post referred to in the standing orders made under that Act as the Clerk to the Assembly, if the person mentioned in paragraph (a) is not a member of that Assembly (or if the office of presiding officer was vacant at that time).

(3)Functions which are exercisable by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) may be delegated by the person by whom they are exercisable (to such extent as that person may determine) to members of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(4)Where a function is delegated under sub-paragraph (3), arrangements for the exercise of the function are to be made by the person who, immediately before the beginning of the initial period, held the post referred to in the standing orders made under the Government of Wales Act 1998 as the Clerk to the Assembly.

(5)The delegation of any function under sub-paragraph (3) does not prevent the exercise of the function by the person by whom the delegation is made.

(6)The exercise of any function in accordance with this paragraph is subject to any condition, limitation or restriction which applied to the exercise of that function immediately before the beginning of the initial period.

25(1)Where a function of making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation is exercised during the initial period in accordance with paragraph 23, it is to be made, confirmed or approved by being signed by the person by whom the function is exercised.U.K.

(2)Despite sub-paragraph (8) of paragraph 23, nothing contained in the following provisions of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38), or included in the standing orders of the Assembly constituted by that Act by virtue of the following provisions of that Act, applies to subordinate legislation made in accordance with that paragraph—

(a)section 65 (regulatory appraisals),

(b)sections 66 and 67 (procedure), and

(c)section 68(financial initiative).

(3)But as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of the initial period the Clerk must lay before the Assembly every statutory instrument containing subordinate legislation made, confirmed or approved in accordance with paragraph 23.

Saving for existing instruments conferring or imposing functionsU.K.

26(1)Any provision of an Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (whether included by virtue of that section or any other enactment apart from section 155(2) of that Act) which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act continues to have effect after the commencement of that repeal as if it were a provision of an Order in Council under section 58.U.K.

(2)Accordingly—

(a)the reference in paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 3 to an Order in Council under section 58 of this Act which includes provision transferring a function to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General includes a reference to an Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which includes provision having that effect by virtue of this Schedule, and

(b)the reference in paragraph 18(5) of Schedule 8 to an Order in Council under section 58 transferring a function of preparing accounts to the Welsh Ministers includes a reference to an Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which makes provision having that effect by virtue of this Schedule.

(3)Any provision which—

(a)is included in an Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 by virtue of section 155(2) of that Act (meaning of “Wales”), and

(b)is in force at the time when this Act is passed,

is to be treated after that time as if it were also contained in an order under subsection (3) of section 158 of this Act (having effect for the purposes of the definition of “Wales” in subsection (1) of that section).

27U.K.Orders under section 27 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which are in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section by this Act continue to have effect despite the commencement of that repeal.

28(1)Designations made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68) by virtue of subsection (1) of section 29 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which are in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that subsection by this Act continue to have effect after the commencement of that repeal as if made by virtue of subsection (1) of section 59 of this Act.U.K.

(2)Regulations made under section 56 of the Finance Act 1973 (c. 51) by virtue of subsection (4) of that section which are in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that subsection by this Act continue to have effect after the commencement of that repeal as if made by virtue of subsection (5) of section 59 of this Act.

First nomination of First MinisterU.K.

29U.K.The reference in section 47(2)(a) to the holding of a poll at a general election includes a reference to the holding of the poll at the 2007 election.

Transfer of Assembly functionsU.K.

30(1)Subject to paragraph 31, the relevant Assembly functions are transferred to the Welsh Ministers immediately after the end of the initial period.U.K.

(2)The relevant Assembly functions” means functions exercisable by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)—

(a)immediately before the end of the initial period, by virtue of an Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998,

(b)immediately before the end of that period, as a result of a designation made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c. 68) by virtue of subsection (1) of section 29 of the Government of Wales Act 1998,

(c)immediately before the end of that period, as a result of having been conferred or imposed on it by an enactment contained in an Act, other than an enactment contained in the Government of Wales Act 1998, or by a prerogative instrument, or

(d)immediately before the end of that period, as a result of having been conferred or imposed on it by subordinate legislation (including subordinate legislation made under the Government of Wales Act 1998).

(3)For the purposes of this paragraph a function is “exercisable” at any time even if the enactment transferring, conferring or imposing it has not come into force at that time.

31(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for—U.K.

(a)the transfer of any of the relevant Assembly functions to—

(i)the First Minister, or

(ii)the Counsel General,

(b)the transfer of any of the relevant Assembly functions, other than functions of making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation, to the Assembly Commission, or

(c)any of the relevant Assembly functions, other than functions of making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation, to be functions of the Assembly.

(2)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for any relevant Assembly function that is a function of making, confirming or approving subordinate legislation in relation to any matter not to be transferred to the Welsh Ministers and, unless the Assembly already has power to pass Assembly Measures in relation to that matter, amend Part 1 of Schedule 5 to enable the Assembly to have instead power to pass Assembly Measures in relation to that matter—

(a)in the same terms as the relevant Assembly function, or

(b)in terms differing from those terms to such extent as appears appropriate.

(3)Her Majesty may by Order in Council—

(a)direct that any function transferred by paragraph 30 is to be exercisable by any one or more of the First Minister, the Counsel General, the Assembly Commission and the Assembly concurrently with the Welsh Ministers,

(b)direct that any function in relation to which provision is made by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) for it to be transferred to, or continue to be a function of, any person or body is to be exercisable by any other person or body specified in that sub-paragraph concurrently with that person or body, or

(c)direct that any function transferred by paragraph 30, or transferred to the First Minister or the Counsel General by virtue of sub-paragraph (1), is to be exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General only with the agreement of, or after consultation with, the Assembly Commission.

(4)An Order in Council under sub-paragraph (1), (2) or (3) may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order in Council.

(5)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under sub-paragraph (1) or (3) in relation to a function which has already been transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General without the consent of those persons or that person to the recommendation.

(6)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under sub-paragraph (2) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38); and a statutory instrument containing an Order in Council under that sub-paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(7)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under sub-paragraph (1) or (3) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(8)But sub-paragraph (7) does not apply if the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or the Assembly constituted by this Act has resolved that a recommendation should be made to Her Majesty in Council to make the Order in Council.

32(1)This paragraph applies so far as may be necessary for the purpose or in consequence of the exercise of any functions of—U.K.

(a)the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the First Minister,

(c)the Counsel General,

(d)the Assembly Commission, or

(e)the Assembly constituted by this Act,

which are made exercisable by them by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31.

(2)Any relevant reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) is to be construed as being or including a reference to—

(a)the Welsh Ministers,

(b)the First Minister,

(c)the Counsel General,

(d)the Assembly Commission, or

(e)the Assembly constituted by this Act,

(according to by whom the function in question is, or is to be, exercised).

(3)In sub-paragraph (2) “relevant reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998” means—

(a)a reference in any enactment, prerogative instrument or other document to that Assembly, or

(b)a reference in any enactment or other document which, immediately before the commencement of the repeal by this Act of section 43 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, had effect as a reference to that Assembly.

Functions transferred by Order in Council under section 22 of the Government of Wales Act 1998: Parliamentary and Assembly procedureU.K.

33(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make subordinate legislation was transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 by an Order in Council under section 22 of that Act, and

(b)the function has been transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31.

(2)If, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of any of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (3) applied to its exercise by a Minister of the Crown—

(a)that provision does not apply to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General unless the case is one to which sub-paragraph (6) applies, but

(b)(whether or not the case is one to which that sub-paragraph applies) that provision has effect in relation to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General as if any reference in it to Parliament or either House of Parliament were (or, if it is such a case, included) a reference to the Assembly.

(3)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraph (2) are—

(a)provision requiring any instrument made in the exercise of the function, or a draft of any such instrument, to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament,

(b)provision for the annulment or approval of any such instrument or draft by or in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament or of each House, and

(c)provision prohibiting the making of any such instrument without such approval.

(4)If, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of either of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (5) applied to its exercise by a Minister of the Crown—

(a)that provision does not apply to its exercise by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General unless the case is one to which sub-paragraph (6) or (7) applies, but

(b)(whether or not the case is one to which either of those sub-paragraphs applies) any instrument made in the exercise of the function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is (or, if it is such a case, is also) subject to the procedure in the Assembly specified by the standing orders.

(5)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraph (4) are—

(a)provision for any instrument made in the exercise of the function to be a provisional order (that is, an order which requires to be confirmed by Act of Parliament), and

(b)provision requiring any order (within the meaning of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 (9 & 10 Geo. 6 c. 18)) made in the exercise of the function to be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(6)This sub-paragraph applies in any case if the instrument made in the exercise of the function or (if provision specified in sub-paragraph (3)(a) or (b) applied to a draft of an instrument made in the exercise of the function) a draft of an instrument to be so made—

(a)contains subordinate legislation made or to be made by a Minister of the Crown or government department (whether or not jointly with the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General),

(b)contains (or confirms or approves) subordinate legislation relating to an English border area, or

(c)contains (or confirms or approves) subordinate legislation relating to a cross-border body (and not relating only to the exercise of functions, or the carrying on of activities, by the body in or with respect to Wales or a part of Wales).

(7)This sub-paragraph applies in any case if, immediately before the coming into force of the provisions of the Order in Council relating to the function, a provision of the description specified in sub-paragraph (5)(b) applied to an instrument made in exercise of the function by a Minister of the Crown and the Order in Council provided that—

(a)any order made by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) in the exercise of the function, or

(b)any order so made in circumstances including those of the case,

is to be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(8)In this paragraph “make” includes confirm or approve and related expressions (except “made exercisable”) are to be construed accordingly; but an instrument (or draft) does not fall within sub-paragraph (6)(a) just because it contains subordinate legislation made (or to be made) by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General with the agreement of a Minister of the Crown or government department.

Functions conferred or imposed by pre-commencement enactment: Parliamentary and Assembly procedureU.K.

34(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make subordinate legislation was conferred or imposed on the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) by a pre-commencement enactment (“the Welsh function”),

(b)the Welsh function has been transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31, and

(c)when the Welsh function was transferred, a Minister of the Crown had the same or substantially the same function exercisable in relation to England (“the corresponding function”).

(2)If, immediately after the transfer of the Welsh function, a provision of any of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (4)—

(a)applied to the exercise of the corresponding function by the Minister of the Crown, but

(b)did not apply to the exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

the provision applies to any exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General as if any reference in it to Parliament or either House of Parliament were a reference to the Assembly.

(3)[F342Subject to sub-paragraphs (4A) and (4B),] If, immediately after the transfer of the Welsh function, a provision of any of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (4) applied to both—

(a)the exercise of the corresponding function by the Minister of the Crown, and

(b)the exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

the provision applies to any exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General as if any reference in it to Parliament or either House of Parliament were a reference both to the Assembly and to Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(4)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) are—

(a)provision requiring any instrument made in the exercise of the function, or a draft of any such instrument, to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament,

(b)provision for the annulment or approval of any such instrument or draft by or in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament or of both Houses, and

(c)provision prohibiting the making of any such instrument without such approval.

[F343(4A)Section 1(5) of the Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Act 2002 (parliamentary procedure) applies to an order made by the Welsh Ministers under section 1(4) of that Act (order changing minimum age for the purposes of eligibility for travel concessions) as if the reference to either House of Parliament were a reference to the Assembly.

(4B)Section 268(13) of the Enterprise Act 2002 (parliamentary procedure) applies to an order made by the Welsh Ministers under section 268(1) of that Act (order in relation to disqualification from office) as if the reference to each House of Parliament were a reference to the Assembly.]

(5)If, immediately after the transfer of the Welsh function, a provision of either of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (7)—

(a)applied to the exercise of the corresponding function by the Minister of the Crown, but

(b)did not apply to the exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

an instrument made in any exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is subject to the procedure in the Assembly specified by the standing orders.

(6)If, immediately after the transfer of the Welsh function, a provision of either of the descriptions specified in sub-paragraph (7) applied to both—

(a)the exercise of the corresponding function by the Minister of the Crown, and

(b)the exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

the instrument made in any exercise of the Welsh function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General is subject to that provision and to the procedure in the Assembly specified by the standing orders.

(7)The descriptions of provision referred to in sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) are—

(a)provision for any instrument made in the exercise of the function to be a provisional order (that is, an order which requires to be confirmed by Act of Parliament), and

(b)provision requiring any order (within the meaning of the Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945 (9 & 10 Geo. 6 c. 18)) made in the exercise of the function to be subject to special parliamentary procedure.

(8)In this paragraph—

  • make” includes confirm or approve and related expressions are to be construed accordingly, and

  • pre-commencement enactment” means an enactment contained in an Act passed or subordinate legislation made before the end of the initial period.

(9)This paragraph does not apply if the Welsh function was transferred as a result of the operation of paragraph 30(2)(b) (see paragraph 28 and section 59).

35(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make subordinate legislation was conferred or imposed on the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) by a pre-commencement enactment,

(b)the function has been transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31, and

(c)when the function was transferred, no Minister of the Crown had the same or substantially the same function exercisable in relation to England.

(2)No procedure for scrutiny by the Assembly applies to any instrument made in the exercise of the function, or a draft of any such instrument, unless the function is specified in Table 1 or Table 2.

(3)No subordinate legislation is to be made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in the exercise of any function specified in Table 1 unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Table 1

FunctionDescription
Section 45B(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43).Power to apply section 45A to Welsh waste collection authorities.
Section 45D of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31).Power to repeal school funding provisions.
Section 8(3) of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14).Power to confer functions in relation to Part 2 services in Wales.
Section 72B(2) of that Act.Power to amend list of persons reviewable by Commissioner.
Section 73(5A) of that Act.Power to amend list of arrangements reviewable by Commissioner.
Section 76(4) of that Act.Power to confer further functions on Commissioner.
Section 78(1A) of that Act.Power to provide that person aged 18 or over is a child for the purposes of Part 5.
Section 78(6) of that Act.Power to make provision about persons to whom Part 5 applies.
Paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to that Act.Power to make provision about the appointment etc. of Commissioner.
Section 68(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22), if exercised to amend or repeal any enactment contained in an Act.Power to confer functions on Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
Section 68(3) of that Act, if exercised to amend or repeal any enactment contained in an Act.Power to make provision relating to Ombudsman's functions and expenses.
Section 70(1) of that Act.Power to make provision about investigations by Ombudsman.
[F344Section 20(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.Power to transfer functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.]
Section 3(4) of the Health (Wales) Act 2003 (c. 4).Power to transfer functions of Wales Centre for Health to Welsh Minister.
Section 4(1) of that Act.Power to establish Health Professions Wales (HPW).
Section 4(3) of that Act.Power to provide for HPW to carry out Welsh Ministers' functions.
Section 5(8) of that Act.Power to abolish HPW.
Section 83(2) of the Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26).Power to make fire authorities in Wales major precepting authorities.
Section 92(2) of that Act.Power to repeal section 24(3) of the Housing Act 1985 (c. 68).
Section 23(9) of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38).Power to apply to Wales provisions about penalty notices in cases of truancy.
Section 75(1) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), if exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to require prescribed persons to provide explanation of documents etc.
Section 96 of that Act, if exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to confer additional functions in relation to Welsh local authority social services.
Section 101(1) of that Act, if exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to require prescribed persons to provide explanation of documents etc.
[F345Section 33(3)(a)(ii) of the Higher Education Act 2004 (c. 8).][F345Power to require institutions' plans to include provision relating to promotion of higher education.]
Section 12(2) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23).Power to add to definition of “local government body in Wales”.
Section 39(1) of that Act, if exercised so as to include a declaration that a contravention is an offence.Power to make provision about publication etc. of accounts.
Section 46(2) of that Act.Power to apply sections 47 to 49 to other local government bodies.
Section 47(5) of that Act.Power to shorten period within which body must publish information.
Section 62(1) of the Education Act 2005 (c. 18), if exercised to amend or repeal an enactment.Power to change inspection framework for Wales.
Section 103(3) of that Act.Power to repeal certain provisions in the Education Act 2002 (c. 32).
Section 124(1) of that Act, if exercised to amend or repeal an enactment.Power to make consequential etc. provision.
[F346Section 5(1) of the Transport (Wales) Act 2006.Power to establish a joint transport authority to discharge specified transport functions for specified areas.]
[F347Section 4(1) of the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006.Power to amend Schedule 2 to that Act.]
[F348Section 6(5) of that Act.Power to confer power on the Commissioner to require prescribed persons to provide information for the purposes of his functions under section 5.]
[F349Section 7(1) of that Act.Power to amend Schedule 3 to that Act.]
[F350Section 16(4) of that Act.Power to apply the joint working provisions in section 16 to persons other than the Ombudsmen specified in that section.]
[F351Section 17(8) of that Act.Power to amend subsection 17(6), which specifies persons with whom the Commissioner may work collaboratively under section 17.]
[F352Section 18(10) of that Act.Power to amend the definition of “permitted person” in section 18(9).]
[F353Section 27(2) of that Act.Power to amend the definition of “family health service provider in Wales” and “independent provider in Wales”.]

(4)A statutory instrument containing subordinate legislation made by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General in the exercise of any function specified in Table 2 is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Assembly.

Table 2

FunctionDescription
F354. . . F354. . .
F355. . . F355. . .
F356. . . F356. . .
F357. . . F357. . .
F358. . . F358. . .
F359. . . F359. . .
F360. . . F360. . .
F361. . . F361. . .
F362. . . F362. . .
F363. . . F363. . .
F364. . . F364. . .
F365. . . F365. . .
F366. . . F366. . .
Section 79S(2) of the Children Act 1989 (c. 41).Power to confer functions relating to child minding or day care.
Section 79T(2) of that Act.Power to make provision about inspection of child minding and day care.
Section 16A(3) of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25).Power to alter composition of regional flood defence committees in Wales.
[F367Section 97D of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.Power to make provision about the admission of children looked after by local authorities in Wales to maintained schools in Wales.]
Paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 7 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31).Power to prescribe content and form of publication of proposals.
Paragraph 12(2)(d) of Schedule 7 to that Act.Power to prescribe period within which objections to proposals may be made.
Paragraph 17(2) of Schedule 7 to that Act.Power to make transitional exemption order relating to proposal for school to cease to be single sex.
Paragraph 13B(1) of Schedule 26 to that Act.Power to prescribe period within which nursery inspection report must be made.
Section 73(5) of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14).Power to confer power on the Commissioner to require information.
Section 74(1) of that Act.Power to provide for examination by Commissioner of particular cases.
Section 76(1) of that Act.Power to confer power on Commissioner to assist children.
Paragraph 6(4) of Schedule 2 to that Act.Power to specify the financial years of Commissioner.
Paragraph 8 of that Schedule.Power to require Commissioner to make reports to Assembly.
Paragraph 17 of that Schedule.Power to add Commissioner to the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11).
Section 77(4) of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21).Power to prescribe period within which report must be made.
Section 83(7) of that Act.Power to make further provision about obligation to provide information.
Section 128(4)(b) and (c) of that Act.Power about statement of proposed action.
Section 68(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22), unless exercised to amend or repeal any enactment contained in an Act.Power to confer functions on Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
Section 68(3) of that Act, unless exercised to amend or repeal any enactment contained in an Act.Power to make provision relating to Ombudsman's functions and expenses.
Section 109(6)(b) of the Transport Act 2000 (c. 38).Power to specify date by which deemed local transport plan to be replaced.
[F368Section 113A(1) of the Transport Act 2000.Power to modify the application of sections 108 to 111 of that Act in relation to local transport authorities whose areas are in Wales.]
[F369Section 20(6) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.Power to direct that the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales shall cease to exist.]
F370. . . F370. . .
F371. . . F371. . .
F372. . . F372. . .
[F373Section 139(1) of the Education Act 2002 (c. 32).]Power to approve institutions to provide course of higher education etc.
Section 192 of that Act.Power to prescribe content and manner of publication of proposals to secure regional provision.
Section 193 of that Act.Power to make provision about proposals to secure regional provision.
Section 197 of that Act.Power relating to partnership agreements and statements.
Section 198 of that Act.Power relating to transition from primary to secondary school.
Section 207(4) of that Act.Power relating to adjustments between [F374local authorities].
Section 3(3) of the Health (Wales) Act 2003 (c. 4).Power to make provision about functions of Wales Centre for Health.
Section 4(4) of that Act.Power to make provision for HPW to make arrangements about functions.
Section 4(7) of that Act.Power to make provision about constitution of HPW.
Section 5(1) of that Act.Power to permit HPW to charge for services.
Section 5(2) of that Act.Power to transfer property etc. and personnel to HPW.
Section 5(7) of that Act.Power to make provision about accounts and audit of HPW.
Section 5(9) of that Act.Power to transfer property etc. and staff from HPW.
Paragraph 10 of Schedule 2 to that Act.Power to make provision about Wales Centre for Health.
Paragraph 27 of Schedule 2 to that Act.Power to make provision about accounts and audit of Centre.
Section 29(1) of the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 (c. 33)Power to require Welsh local authority to have waste management strategy.
Section 30(1) of that Act.Power to require Welsh local authority to provide information about waste.
Section 75(1) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), unless exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to require prescribed persons to provide explanation of documents etc.
Section 94(6) of that Act.Power to require Welsh local authority to pay fee in relation to review of adoption and fostering functions.
Section 96 of that Act, unless exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to confer additional functions in relation to Welsh local authority social services.
Section 101(1) of that Act, unless exercised to amend or repeal any part of the text of an Act.Power to require prescribed persons to provide explanation of documents etc.
[F375Section 62(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5).][F375Power to prescribe form and content of local development plan.]
[F375Section 63(3)(a) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe persons to be included in community involvement scheme.]
[F375Section 63(7) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe requirements in relation to that scheme and local development plan.]
[F375Section 69(1) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe times for review of local development plan.]
[F375Section 69(3) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe form of, and publication requirements for, review.]
[F375Section 76(2) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe information to be contained in annual monitoring report.]
[F375Section 76(3) of that Act.][F375Power to prescribe timing, form and content of report.]
[F375Section 77 of that Act.][F375Power to make provision about functions conferred by Part 6.]
[F376Section 30(1)(b) of the Higher Education Act 2004 (c. 8).][F376Power to designate “relevant authority”.]
[F376Section 38(2) of that Act.][F376Power to prescribe maximum period during which relevant authority can refuse to approve institution's new plan.]
Section 18(2)(c) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23).Power to specify documents to which right of access applies.
Section 21(1) of that Act.Power to replace scale of audit fees.
Section 39(1) of that Act, unless exercised so as to include a declaration that a contravention is an offence.Power to make provision about publication etc. of accounts.
Section 52(2)(c) of that Act.Power to specify documents to which right of access applies.
[F377Section 26(2)(f) of the Children Act 2004 (c. 31).][F377Power to make provision about implementation of children and young people's plans.]
[F377Section 26(4) of that Act.][F377Power to require approval of such plans.]
Section 22(1) of the Education Act 2005 (c. 18).Power to establish panel to advise on Chief Inspector's functions.
Section 25(2) of that Act.Power to prescribe categories of persons who may be registered inspectors.
Section 25(3)(b) of that Act.Power to prescribe fees for applications for registration.
Section 36(2) of that Act.Power to make provision as to timing of inspections and reports.
Section 38(3)(e) and (4)(b) and (c) of that Act.Power to make provision relating to destination of reports about maintained schools.
Section 39(2)(a), (3), (5) and (7)(b) of that Act.Power to make provision relating to statement prepared by appropriate authority for school.
Section 40(3)(a) of that Act.Power to make provision relating to statement prepared by [F378local authority].
Section 41(4)(b) and (c) of that Act.Power to make provision relating to destination of reports about non-maintained schools.
Section 42(2)(a), (3), (4) and (5)(b) of that Act.Power to make provision relating to statement prepared by proprietor of school.
Section 52(5) of that Act.Power to make provision about provision of inspection services by [F379local authorities].
Section 55(4) of that Act.Power to prescribe intervals at which careers services are inspected.
Section 56(3) of that Act.Power to prescribe intervals at which related services are inspected.
Section 57(7)(a), (b) and (c) of that Act.Power to require a person inspected to prepare written statement in response.
Section 57(9) of that Act.Power to make provision about inspection reports.
Section 62(1) of that Act, unless exercised to amend or repeal an enactment.Power to change inspection framework for Wales.
Section 85(3)(d) of that Act.Power to designate institutions eligible for HEFCW funding.
Section 90(1) of that Act.Power to confer functions on HEFCW.
Section 91(1) of that Act.Power to give directions to HEFCW.
Section 92(4) of that Act.Power to authorise joint exercise of HEFCW functions.
Section 100(2) of that Act.Power to make provision as to meaning of “governing body”.
Section 124(1) of that Act, unless exercised to amend or repeal an enactment.Power to make consequential etc. provision.
Paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to that Act.Power to make provision about appeals to, and procedure of, tribunals.
Paragraph 3(2)(b) of Schedule 4 to that Act.Power to prescribe persons who may not be members of inspection team.
Paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 4 to that Act.Power to waive fees for applications to be on the list of inspection team members.
Paragraph 6(b) of Schedule 4 to that Act.Power to make provisions about meetings between inspectors and pupils.
[F380Section 8(1) of the Transport (Wales) Act 2006.Power to establish the Public Transport Users` Committee for Wales or Pwyllgor Defnyddwyr Trafnidiaeth Gyhoeddus Cymru.]
[F381Section 8(2) of that Act.Power to change the name of a body established under section 8(1) of that Act.]
[F382Section 8(6) of that ActPower to make provision for the transfer of staff, property, rights and liabilities, from the Committee to any other person.]
[F383Section 9(3) of that Act.Power to change or transfer functions of the Public Transport Users` Committee for Wales.]
[F384Section 8(1) of the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006.Power to confer power on the Commissioner to give assistance to certain persons to make complaints in respect of matters specified in section 8.]
[F385Section 10(1) of that Act.Power to make regulations allowing the Commissioner to examine cases of particular persons who are, or have been, older people in Wales.]
[F386Section 14(1) of that Act.Power to confer additional functions on the Commissioner.]
[F387Section 15(1) of that Act.Power to make regulations providing for the Commissioner to make reports following the discharge of any of his functions.]
[F388Section 21(2) of that Act.Power to prescribe certain functions for the purpose of preventing the Commissioner from being authorised and required to exercise those functions.]
[F389Paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to that Act.Power to make provision as to the appointment of the Commissioner and as to the terms of office of the Commissioner.]
[F390Article 16(4) of the National Assembly for Wales (Representation of the People) Order 2007.Power to specify the apportionment of the costs of combined polls at an Assembly general election and an ordinary local government election.]

(5)In this paragraph—

  • make” includes confirm or approve and related expressions are to be construed accordingly, and

  • pre-commencement enactment” means an enactment contained in an Act passed or subordinate legislation made before the end of the initial period.

(6)This paragraph does not apply if the function was transferred as a result of the operation of paragraph 30(2)(b) (see paragraph 28 and section 59).

Textual Amendments

F345Words in Sch. 11 para. 35(3) Table 1 omitted (E.W.) (1.9.2015) by virtue of Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 1), s. 59(2), Sch. para. 23(a); S.I. 2015/1327, art. 5(s)(v)

F354Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F355Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F356Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F357Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F358Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F359Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F360Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F361Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F362Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F363Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F364Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F365Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F366Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(a) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F370Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (1.3.2007) by virtue of Health Service (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 (c. 43), ss. 2, 8(2), Sch. 1 para. 304(b) (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)

F371Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (7.12.2009) by virtue of Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), ss. 47, 49, Sch. para. 22(a)(b); S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(1)(r)

F372Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry omitted (7.12.2009) by virtue of Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), ss. 47, 49, Sch. para. 22(a)(b); S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(1)(r)

F373Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2: entry substituted (7.12.2009) by virtue of Learning and Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (nawm 1), ss. 47, 49, Sch. para. 22(c); S.I. 2009/3174, art. 2(1)

F375Words in Sch. 11 para. 35(4) omitted (E.W.) (6.9.2015) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), s. 58(2)(a), Sch. 7 para. 2

F376Words in Sch. 11 para. 35(4) Table 2 omitted (E.W.) (1.9.2015) by virtue of Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 1), s. 59(2), Sch. para. 23(b); S.I. 2015/1327, art. 5(s)(v)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19Sch. 11 para. 35 excluded (1.4.2008) Mental Health Act 2007 (c. 12), ss. 50(10)(a), 56; S.I. 2008/745, art. 4

[F391Instrument containing provisions under transferred power and provision under power in section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972: Assembly procedure U.K.

Textual Amendments

F391Sch. 11 para. 35A and preceding cross-heading inserted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1270), art. 2(2), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see art. 1(2) of the amending Order and s. 161(5) of this Act

35A(1)—(1) Paragraph 2A of Schedule 2 to the ECA 1972 applies to a draft of a statutory instrument laid before the Assembly pursuant to section 59(3) of this Act as it applies to a draft of a statutory instrument laid before Parliament pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the ECA 1972.U.K.

(2)Paragraph 2B of Schedule 2 to the ECA 1972 applies to a statutory instrument laid before the Assembly pursuant to section 59(3) of this Act as it applies to a statutory instrument laid before Parliament pursuant to paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2 to the ECA 1972.

(3)Paragraph 2A, or paragraph 2B, is subject to the following modifications in its application by virtue of this paragraph—

(a)references to Parliament and to each or either House of Parliament are to be read as references to the Assembly;

(b)the reference in paragraph 2A(1)(a), or in paragraph 2B(1)(a), to a power conferred by any other enactment is to be read as a reference to a power which—

(i)is transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31 of this Schedule, or

(ii)is conferred on the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by a provision of any Act in consequence of the amendment of that Act by or under this Act.

(4)In this paragraph, ECA 1972 means the European Communities Act 1972.]

Transfers of Assembly functions: laying of reports and statementsU.K.

36(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make or receive a report or statement was transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) by an Order in Council under section 22 of that Act,

(b)the function has been transferred to, or made exercisable by, the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31, and

(c)immediately before the transfer of the function to that Assembly, any enactment made provision (“provision for Parliamentary laying”) for a report or statement made or received in the exercise of the function to be laid before Parliament or either House of Parliament by the person making or receiving it.

(2)The provision for Parliamentary laying applies to the exercise of the function by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission as if it required the report or statement to be laid before the Assembly instead of before Parliament or either House of Parliament.

(3)In this paragraph and paragraph 37 references to a report or statement include any other document (except one containing subordinate legislation).

37(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a function to make or receive a report or statement was conferred or imposed on the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 by a pre-commencement enactment,

(b)the function has been transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31, and

(c)immediately before the transfer, any enactment made provision for a report or statement made or received in the exercise of the function (or the matter contained in such a report or statement) to be published by that Assembly.

(2)A copy of the report or statement must be laid before the Assembly after it has been made or received.

(3)In this paragraph “pre-commencement enactment” means an enactment contained in an Act passed or subordinate legislation made before the end of the initial period.

Transfers of Assembly functions: property, rights and liabilitiesU.K.

38(1)In paragraphs 39 and 40 “transferred function” means a function—U.K.

(a)which is conferred or imposed on the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by a provision of this Act which re-enacts (with or without modifications) a provision of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) which conferred or imposed the same or substantially the same function on the Assembly constituted by that Act,

(b)which is transferred to a person or body other than the Assembly by or by virtue of paragraph 30 or 31, or

(c)which is conferred or imposed on the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General by a provision of any Act in consequence of the amendment of that Act by or under this Act.

(2)In paragraphs 39 and 40 “the transferee”, in relation to a transferred function, means—

(a)in the case of a function within paragraph (a) or (c) of sub-paragraph (1), the person or body on whom the function is conferred or imposed, and

(b)in the case of a function within paragraph (b) of that sub-paragraph, the person or body to whom the function is transferred.

(3)In paragraph 39 “transfer time”, in relation to a transferred function, means the time when the function first becomes exercisable by the transferee of the transferred function.

39(1)The property, rights and liabilities to which the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 is entitled or subject in connection with any transferred function are transferred to and vest in the transferee of the function.U.K.

(2)Anything (including legal proceedings) which relates to—

(a)any transferred function, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) in connection with any transferred function,

and which is in the process of being done by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 immediately before the transfer time may be continued by or in relation to the transferee of the transferred function.

(3)Anything which was done by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the purpose of or in connection with—

(a)any transferred function, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) in connection with any transferred function,

and which is in effect immediately before the transfer time has effect as if done by or in relation to the transferee of the transferred function.

(4)In any instruments, contracts or legal proceedings which relate to—

(a)any transferred function, or

(b)any property, rights or liabilities transferred by sub-paragraph (1) in connection with any transferred function,

and which are made or commenced before the transfer time, the transferee of the transferred function is substituted for the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

40(1)Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide that all or any of the provisions of paragraph 39—U.K.

(a)do not apply in relation to particular transferred functions or to the property, rights and liabilities connected with the particular transferred functions or particular property, rights and liabilities so connected,

(b)are to apply only in relation to particular transferred functions or to particular property, rights or liabilities connected with transferred functions, or

(c)apply with modifications in relation to particular transferred functions or to the property, rights and liabilities connected with the particular transferred functions or particular property, rights and liabilities so connected.

(2)Paragraph 39 does not apply in relation to rights and liabilities under a contract of employment of a member of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38).

(3)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under this paragraph unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before and approved by a resolution of—

(a)each House of Parliament, and

(b)the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or the Assembly constituted by this Act.

41(1)The Secretary of State may by order provide for the transfer to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission of—U.K.

(a)any specified property, rights or liabilities, or

(b)property, rights or liabilities of any specified description,

to which the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 is entitled or subject or to which that Assembly was entitled or subject immediately before the end of the initial period.

(2)An order under sub-paragraph (1) may provide for the transfer of any property, rights or liabilities to have effect subject to exceptions or reservations specified in or determined under the order.

(3)An order under sub-paragraph (1) may provide—

(a)for the creation in favour of the Assembly Commission of interests in, or rights over, property transferred to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General,

(b)for the creation in favour of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General of interests in, or rights over, property transferred to the Assembly Commission, or

(c)for the creation of new rights and liabilities between the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General on the one hand and the Assembly Commission on the other.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the continuation by or in relation to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General, or the Assembly Commission of—

(a)any specified thing, or

(b)anything of a specified description,

commenced by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38).

(5)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for—

(a)any specified thing, or

(b)anything of a specified description,

done by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 to have effect as if done by or in relation to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission.

(6)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the substitution of the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General or the Assembly Commission for the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 in—

(a)any specified instrument, contract or legal proceedings, or

(b)any instrument, contract or legal proceedings of a specified description.

(7)An order under this paragraph may be made in consequence of provision made by this Act or in any other circumstances in which the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to make such an order.

(8)An order under this paragraph may not provide for the transfer of rights and liabilities under a contract of employment of a member of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(9)A statutory instrument containing an order under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

42(1)A certificate issued by the Secretary of State that any property has been transferred by—U.K.

(a)paragraph 39, or

(b)an order under paragraph 41,

is conclusive evidence of the transfer.

(2)Paragraph 39, and orders under paragraph 41, have effect in relation to property, rights or liabilities to which they apply in spite of any provision (of whatever nature) which would otherwise prevent, penalise or restrict the transfer of the property, rights or liabilities.

(3)A right of pre-emption, right of return or other similar right does not operate or become exercisable as a result of any transfer of property or rights by virtue of paragraph 39 or an order under paragraph 41.

(4)Any such right has effect in the case of any such transfer as if the transferee were the same person in law as the transferor and no transfer of the property or rights had taken place.

(5)Such compensation as is just is to be paid to any person in respect of any such right which would, apart from sub-paragraph (3), have operated in favour of or become exercisable by that person but which, in consequence of the operation of that sub-paragraph, cannot subsequently operate in favour of or become exercisable by that person.

(6)Any compensation payable by virtue of sub-paragraph (5) is to be paid by the transferor or by the transferee or by both.

(7)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the determination of disputes as to—

(a)whether compensation is payable under sub-paragraph (5),

(b)how much compensation is payable, and

(c)the person to whom or by whom it is to be paid.

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under this paragraph is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(9)Sub-paragraphs (2) to (8) apply in relation to the creation of rights or interests, or the doing of anything else, in relation to property as they apply in relation to a transfer of property; and references to the transferor and transferee are to be read accordingly.

(10)In this paragraph “right of return” means any right under a provision for the return or reversion of property in specified circumstances.

[F392Criminal Liability of the AssemblyU.K.

Textual Amendments

F392Sch. 11 para. 42A and preceding cross-heading inserted by The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1270), art. 2(3), the amending provision coming into force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see art. 1(2) of the amending Order and s. 161(5) of this Act

42A(1) —(1) In this paragraph, “ criminal liability of the Assembly ” means criminal liability incurred by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998. U.K.

(2)To the extent that any criminal liability of the Assembly is connected with property, rights and other liabilities transferred to the Assembly Commission by the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Property, Rights and Liabilities) Order 2007, that criminal liability is transferred to the Assembly Commission.

(3)Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the criminal liability of the Assembly is transferred to the Welsh F37... Government.

(4)Paragraph 39(2) to (4) applies in relation to criminal liability transferred by this paragraph as it applies to a liability transferred by paragraph 39; and in that application of paragraph 39(2) to (4)—

  • transfer time ” means the time immediately after the end of the initial period;

  • transferee of the transferred function ” means the Assembly Commission or, as the case may be, the Welsh F37... Government. ]

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

Staff of the AssemblyU.K.

43(1)Subject as follows, at the end of the initial period the members of the staff of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) (“relevant employees”) are to be taken to have been appointed as members of the staff of the Welsh F37... Government.U.K.

(2)But the Secretary of State may by order make a scheme (“a transfer scheme”) for the transfer to the Assembly Commission of [F393the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 in respect of] listed relevant employees under [F394or in connection with] their contracts of employment at the end of the initial period.

(3)A relevant employee is a listed relevant employee if the relevant employee is named in, or is of a description of relevant employees specified in, a list produced by the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State—

(a)may at any time amend the list, and

(b)must make the list (and any amendments of it) available to such persons, and in such manner, as appear appropriate.

(4)The transfer by a transfer scheme of [F395the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 in respect of] a relevant employee under [F396or in connection with] the relevant employee's contract of employment does not break the continuity of the relevant employee's employment and accordingly—

(a)the relevant employee is not to be regarded for the purposes of Part 11 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (c. 18) (redundancy) as having been dismissed by virtue of the transfer, and

(b)the relevant employee's period of employment with the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 counts as a period of employment with the Assembly Commission for the purposes of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

(5)A transfer scheme transferring [F397the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 in respect of] a relevant employee under [F398or in connection with] the relevant employee's contract of employment must provide for the terms and conditions of the relevant employee's employment with the Assembly Commission (taken as a whole) to be no less favourable to the relevant employee than the terms and conditions on which the relevant employee is employed immediately before the transfer.

(6)A transfer scheme must provide that, if a listed relevant employee informs the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 or the Assembly Commission that the relevant employee objects to becoming employed by the Assembly Commission—

(a)the transfer scheme does not operate to transfer [F399any rights, powers, duties and liabilities of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 in respect of][F400or in connection with] the relevant employee's contract of employment, and

(b)the relevant employee's contract of employment is terminated [F401immediately before the end of] the initial period, but

(c)the relevant employee is not, by virtue of that termination, to be treated for any purpose as having been dismissed.

(7)Anything (including legal proceedings) which relates to [F402any rights, powers, duties or liabilities] transferred by a transfer scheme which is in the process of being done by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) immediately before they are transferred may be continued by or in relation to the Assembly Commission.

(8)Anything which was done by or in relation to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the purpose of or in connection with [F403any rights, powers, duties or liabilities] transferred by a transfer scheme which is in effect immediately before they are transferred has effect as if done by or in relation to the Assembly Commission.

(9)In any instruments, contracts or legal proceedings which relate to [F404any rights, powers, duties or liabilities] transferred by a transfer scheme and which are made or commenced immediately before they are transferred, the Assembly Commission is substituted for the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(10)Before making an order under sub-paragraph (2) the Secretary of State must consult the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(11)A statutory instrument containing an order under sub-paragraph (2) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F37Words in Act omitted (17.2.2015) by virtue of Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), s. 4(2)(a) (with s. 4(3))

F393Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(2) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(a), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F394Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(2) inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(a), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F395Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(4) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(b), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F396Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(4) inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(b), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F397Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(5) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(c), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F398Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(5) inserted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(c), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F399Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(6)(a) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(d), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F400Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(6)(a) inserted by virtue of The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(d), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F401Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(6)(b) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(e), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F402Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(7) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(f), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F403Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(8) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(g), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

F404Words in Sch. 11 para. 43(9) substituted by The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of staff to Assembly Commission Scheme) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1169), arts. 1(2), 2(h), the amending S.I. coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (which was held on 3.5.2007)

Powers to lend moneyU.K.

44(1)This paragraph applies where—U.K.

(a)a power to lend money was transferred to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 by an Order in Council under section 22 of that Act, and

(b)the power has been transferred to the Welsh Ministers by paragraph 30.

(2)Sub-paragraph (3) applies to any sums which, for the purpose or as a result of the exercise of the power, would be required (apart from that sub-paragraph)—

(a)to be issued by the Treasury out of the National Loans Fund, or

(b)to be paid into that Fund.

(3)Those sums are instead—

(a)to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund, or

(b)to be paid into that Fund.

(4)The following provisions apply where—

(a)the power was exercised by a Minister of the Crown before its transfer to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) or by that Assembly after its transfer, and

(b)the sums required for the exercise of the power were issued by the Treasury out of the National Loans Fund.

(5)Any amount payable by way of repayment of, or of interest on, the loan is to be paid to the Welsh Ministers and into the Welsh Consolidated Fund (instead of to the Minister of the Crown and into the National Loans Fund).

(6)Amounts equal to those which are to be received by the Welsh Ministers in repayment of principal are to be treated as being loans made to the Welsh Ministers by the Secretary of State on the date of the transfer of the power to the Welsh Ministers.

(7)Such loans are to be repaid to the Secretary of State at such times and by such methods, and interest is to be paid to the Secretary of State at such rates and at such times, as the Treasury may from time to time determine.

(8)Sums required to be paid to the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (7) are to be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

(9)Sums received by the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (7) are to be paid into the National Loans Fund.

(10)Her Majesty may by Order in Council disapply this paragraph (in whole or in part) in relation to any power to lend money.

(11)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under sub-paragraph (10) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

Local government schemeU.K.

45(1)Any scheme under section 113(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that provision by this Act has effect after that time (with appropriate modifications) as if made under section 73.U.K.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not give rise to any obligation under section 73(4) to publish the scheme.

(3)Section 73(6) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.

(4)But if the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 has not complied with the duty imposed by paragraph 9 of Schedule 11 to that Act in relation to that financial year before the commencement of the repeal of that paragraph by this Act, that duty becomes a duty of the Welsh Ministers on the commencement of that repeal.

(5)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008, the reference in section 73(6)(a) to the proposals set out in the local government scheme includes those set out in a scheme under section 113(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Voluntary sector schemeU.K.

46(1)Any scheme under section 114(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that provision by this Act has effect after that time (with appropriate modifications) as if made under section 74.U.K.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not give rise to any obligation under section 74(7) to publish the scheme.

(3)Section 74(9) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.

(4)But if the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 has not complied with the duty imposed by subsection (9) of section 114 of that Act in relation to that financial year before the commencement of the repeal of that subsection by this Act, that duty becomes a duty of the Welsh Ministers on the commencement of that repeal.

(5)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008, the reference in section 74(9)(a) to the proposals set out in the voluntary sector scheme includes those set out in a scheme under section 114(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Equality of opportunity arrangementsU.K.

47(1)Any arrangements under section 120(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 which are in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that provision by this Act have effect after that time (with appropriate modifications) as if made under section 77.U.K.

(2)Section 77(2) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.

(3)But if the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 has not complied with the duty imposed by subsection (2) of section 120 of that Act in relation to that financial year before the commencement of the repeal of that subsection by this Act, that duty becomes a duty of the Welsh Ministers on the commencement of that repeal.

(4)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008, the references in subsection (2) of section 77 to the arrangements made in pursuance of subsection (1) of that section include those made in pursuance of section 120(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

Welsh language strategy and schemeU.K.

48(1)The National Action Plan for a Bilingual Wales (or Iaith Pawb) as it stands immediately before the coming into force of section 78 has effect after that time (with appropriate modifications) as if it were a strategy adopted under subsection (1) of that section.U.K.

F405(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)[F406Sub-paragraph (1) does] not give rise to any obligation under section 78(6).

(4)Section 78(8) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.

Sustainable development schemeU.K.

49(1)Any scheme under section 121(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) which is in force immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that provision by this Act has effect after that time (with appropriate modifications) as if made under section 79.U.K.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) does not give rise to any obligation under section 79(4) to publish the scheme.

(3)Section 79(6) does not apply in relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2007.

(4)But if the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 has not complied with the duty imposed by subsection (6) of section 121 of that Act in relation to that financial year before the commencement of the repeal of that subsection by this Act, that duty becomes a duty of the Welsh Ministers on the commencement of that repeal.

(5)In relation to the financial year ending with 31st March 2008, the reference in section 79(6)(a) to the proposals set out in the sustainable development scheme includes those set out in a scheme under section 121(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(6)Section 79(7) has effect as if 2008 were the year following that in which an ordinary general election is held.

Orders in Council amending Schedule 5U.K.

50(1)Section 95 has effect until the end of the initial period subject to the following modifications.U.K.

(2)In subsection (2), for the words after “exercisable by” substitute “ the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 ”.

(3)In subsection (5)(a), after “Assembly” insert “ constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 ”.

(4)Omit subsections (6) to (10).

51U.K.Section 96 has effect until the end of the initial period with the substitution of “ Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 ” for “Counsel General”.

Assembly Measures: criminal penaltiesU.K.

52(1)No term of imprisonment of more than six months is to be imposed on conviction of a summary offence created by or by virtue of an Assembly Measure if the offence is committed before the coming into force of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44).U.K.

(2)No term of imprisonment of more than six months is to be imposed on summary conviction of an offence triable either way created by or by virtue of an Assembly Measure if the offence is committed before the coming into force of section 154(1) of that Act.

[F407Payments into the Welsh Consolidated Fund] U.K.

Textual Amendments

[F40853AU.K.No later than four weeks after a certified copy of the accounts of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (“the Ombudsman”) for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 is, under paragraph 17(2)(b) of Schedule 1 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005, laid before the Assembly, the Ombudsman must pay into the Welsh Consolidated Fund a sum equal to the total amount of all monies standing to the credit of the Ombudsman immediately before 1st April 2007.

Textual Amendments

53B(1)No later than four weeks after a certified copy of the accounts of the Auditor General for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 is laid before the Assembly under paragraph 15(3)(b) of Schedule 8 (as it applies by virtue of paragraph 64C of this Schedule) the Auditor General must pay the required amount into the Welsh Consolidated Fund.U.K.

(2)The required amount” means a sum equal to the total amount of all monies standing to the credit of the Auditor General immediately before 1st April 2007 except monies within both sub-paragraph (3) and sub-paragraph (4).

(3)Monies are within this sub-paragraph if they represent—

(a)fees charged by the Auditor General by virtue of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 (best value audits and inspections),

(b)grants made to the Auditor General under section 33(3)(b) of that Act (grants in respect of expenditure under that Act),

(c)fees charged by the Auditor General by virtue of Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (local government audit), or

(d)fees or other sums received by the Auditor General by virtue of section 96C of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (arrangements with relevant authorities).

(4)Monies are within this sub-paragraph if they are retained by the Auditor General for use in connection with the exercise of the functions conferred or imposed by, or the exercise of functions pursuant to —

(a)Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999,

(b)Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004, or

(c)section 96C of the Government of Wales Act 1998.]

Textual Amendments

[F40953No later than four weeks after a certified copy of the accounts of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 is, under section 97(5)(b) of that Act, laid before the Assembly constituted by this Act, the Welsh Ministers must pay into the Welsh Consolidated Fund a sum equal to the total amount of all monies standing to the credit of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 immediately before 1st April 2007.]

Textual Amendments

GrantsU.K.

54U.K.Until the end of the initial period section 118(2) has effect with the substitution of a reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the reference to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General.

Statement of estimated paymentsU.K.

55U.K.In its application for the financial year beginning on 1st April 2007 section 119 has effect as if—

(a)the references in subsection (1)(b) and (c) to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General included the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998, and

(b)the reference in subsection (6) to the Assembly were to that Assembly.

Destination of receiptsU.K.

56U.K.Until the end of the initial period section 120 has effect—

(a)with the substitution of a reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1), and

(b)as if the references in subsections (3), (4) and (5) to the Welsh Ministers were to that Assembly;

and the reference in subsection (2)(a) to a resolution of the Assembly includes a resolution made before the beginning of the initial period by that Assembly.

BorrowingU.K.

57(1)Until the end of the initial period section 121(1) has effect with the substitution of a reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the reference to the Welsh Ministers.U.K.

(2)For the purpose of section 122(2) the aggregate amount which, immediately before 1st April 2007, is outstanding in respect of the principal of—

(a)loans made under section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, and

(b)any other loans issued out of the National Loans Fund which the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 is liable to repay,

is treated as outstanding in respect of the principal of sums borrowed under section 121.

Payments out of Welsh Consolidated Fund.U.K.

58U.K.Until the end of the initial period section 124(3) has effect with the substitution of a reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38) for paragraphs (a) and (b).

59U.K.Until the end of the initial period—

(a)paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 31 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65) (financial provisions relating to urban development corporations: guarantees),

(b)paragraph 16 of Schedule 8 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41) (non-domestic rating: pooling), and

(c)paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 8 to the Housing Act 1988 (c. 50) (financial provisions relating to housing action trusts: guarantees),

have effect with the substitution of references to that Assembly for the references to the Welsh Ministers.

Annual Budget motionsU.K.

60(1)In its application for the financial year beginning on 1st April 2007 section 125 has effect as if—U.K.

(a)the reference in subsection (1) to the Assembly included the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (except as it continues in existence by virtue of paragraph 22), and

(b)the references in paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (3) to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General included that Assembly.

(2)In relation to a Budget motion moved in that Assembly that section has effect as if—

(a)the reference in subsection (2) to the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48, and

(b)the reference in subsection (3) to the Welsh Ministers in the words before the paragraphs,

were to a member of the executive committee within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 1998 and as if the references in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of that subsection to the estimate of the Welsh Ministers were to the estimate of the member of that committee by whom the statement is made.

Supplementary Budget motionsU.K.

61(1)In its application for the financial year beginning on 1st April 2007 section 126 has effect as if the reference in subsection (1) to the Assembly included the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (except as it continues in existence by virtue of paragraph 22).U.K.

(2)In relation to a supplementary Budget resolution moved in that Assembly that section has effect as if the reference in subsection (5) to the First Minister or a Welsh Minister appointed under section 48 were to a member of the executive committee within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

[F410Contingencies]U.K.

[F41162(1)Until the end of the initial period, section 128 has effect as if for the words after “this section” in subsections (4) and (5) there were substituted in each place “must not exceed £50 million.”.U.K.

(2)Until the beginning of the initial period, section 128(1) to (6) has effect as if the references to the Welsh Ministers were to two or more members of the executive committee within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 1998.

(3)Where authorisation is given under section 128 before the beginning of the initial period, that section has effect as if for subsection (7) there were substituted—

(7)Where two or more members of the executive committee within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 1998 authorise the use of resources or the payment of amounts under this section, that committee must, as soon as possible, lay before the Assembly constituted by that Act a report setting out—

(a)the resources authorised to be used or the amounts authorised to be paid,

(b)the services or purposes for which the resources were authorised to be used, or the amounts were authorised to be paid, and

(c)why it was considered necessary to authorise the use of the resources, or the payment of the amounts, under this section..

(4)During the initial period, section 128(1) to (6) has effect as if the references to the Welsh Ministers were to two or more members of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 (as it continues in existence by virtue of paragraph 22) not including the person who immediately before the beginning of the initial period held office as the presiding officer.

(5)Where authorisation is given under section 128 during the initial period, that section has effect as if for subsection (7) there were substituted—

(7)Where two or more members of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 authorise the use of resources or the payment of amounts under this section, that Assembly (as it continues in existence by virtue of paragraph 22 of Schedule 11) must, as soon as possible, prepare a report for the Welsh Ministers setting out—

(a)the resources authorised to be used or the amounts authorised to be paid,

(b)the services or purposes for which the resources were authorised to be used, or the amounts were authorised to be paid, and

(c)why it was considered necessary to authorise the use of the resources, or the payment of the amounts, under this section.

(8)The Welsh Ministers must lay the report before the Assembly constituted by this Act as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the initial period..]

Approvals to drawU.K.

63(1)This paragraph applies until the end of the initial period.U.K.

(2)Section 129 has effect as if the [F412references] in subsection (1) [F413and subsection (3)] to the Welsh Ministers were—

(a)before the beginning of the initial period, to a member of the executive committee within the meaning of the Government of Wales Act 1998, and

(b)during the initial period, to a member of the Assembly constituted by that Act (as it continues in existence by virtue of paragraph 22) other than the person who immediately before the beginning of the initial period held office as the presiding officer.

[F414(3)That section has effect as if for the references in subsection (4) to the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General and the Assembly Commission there were substituted a reference to the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.]

(4)And that section has effect as if the reference in subsection (5)(b) to the principal accounting officer for the Welsh F37... Government were—

(a)before the beginning of the initial period, to the Assembly's principal accounting officer (designated under section 98 of the Government of Wales Act 1998), and

(b)during the initial period, to the person who was the Assembly's principal accounting officer immediately before the beginning of the initial period.

U.K.

[F415Preparation of Assembly's annual accounts for financial year ending 31st March 2007

63AU.K.The function of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 under section 97 of that Act of preparing accounts of that Assembly for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 shall transfer to the Welsh Ministers at the end of the initial period.

U.K.

Preparation of whole of government accounts for year ending 31st March 2007

63BU.K.The function of the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 under section 101A of that Act of preparing whole of government accounts for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 shall transfer to the Welsh Ministers at the end of the initial period.]

Auditor GeneralU.K.

64U.K.The person who, immediately before the commencement of the repeal of section 90 of the Government of Wales Act 1998, holds the post of Auditor General for Wales is to be taken after that time to have been appointed to that post under paragraph 1 of Schedule 8.

U.K.

[F416Auditor General's staff

64AU.K.The members of staff employed by the Auditor General immediately before the commencement of the repeal of section 92 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 are to be taken after that time to have been appointed to that employment under paragraph 7 of Schedule 8.

U.K.

Audit of Auditor General's accounts

64BU.K.The person appointed as the auditor of the accounts for the Auditor General under section 94(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 immediately before the commencement of the repeal of that section is to be taken after that time to have been appointed by the Assembly constituted by this Act under paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 8.

64CU.K.Paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 (audit of accounts) applies to accounts prepared by the Auditor General under section 93(8) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the financial year ending with 31st March 2007 as it applies to accounts prepared under paragraph 13 of that Schedule.

U.K.

Audit Committee reports

64DU.K.The reference in section 143(1) (Audit Committee reports) to any accounts, statement of accounts or report laid before the Assembly includes any accounts, statement of accounts or report laid before the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998.

U.K.

Examinations into use of resources by the 1998 Assembly

64E(1)Notwithstanding the repeal of section 100 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (examination into Assembly's use of resources) the Auditor General may carry out, or continue to carry out, examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Assembly constituted by that Act used its resources in discharging its functions.U.K.

(2)Section 135 of this Act applies to an examination carried out pursuant to sub-paragraph (1) as it applies to an examination of the kind mentioned in subsection (1) of that section.

U.K.

Remuneration of the Auditor General

64FU.K.Any sums required by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the making of payments under section 91(1), (2) or (4) of that Act (remuneration of the Auditor General for Wales) shall, to the extent that they relate to the financial year beginning with 1st April 2007, be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

U.K.

Remuneration etc. of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

64GU.K.Any sums required by the Assembly constituted by the Government of Wales Act 1998 for the making of payments under paragraph 9(1), (2) and (5) of Schedule 1 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (remuneration of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales) or paragraph 10 of that Schedule (expenses) shall, to the extent that they relate to the financial year beginning with 1st April 2007, be charged on the Welsh Consolidated Fund.]

Advocate General for Northern IrelandU.K.

65(1)Until the coming into force of section 27(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) this Act has effect subject to the following modifications.U.K.

(2)In section 81(3), omit “, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland”.

(3)In section 153(5)(c) and paragraphs 23(1) and (2), 24(1) and 29(2)(c) of Schedule 9, for “Advocate General” substitute “ Attorney General ”.

The Supreme CourtU.K.

66(1)Until the coming into force of section 23(1) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4) this Act has effect subject to the following modifications.U.K.

(2)In section 96, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ”.

(3)In section 98(6)(a), for “the Supreme Court decides” substitute “ the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council decide ”.

(4)In the following provisions, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ”

(a)the title to section 99,

(b)subsection (1) of that section,

(c)section 100(1)(b),

(d)section 101(4)(c), and

(e)section 102(2)(b).

(5)In section 102(3)(a), for “the Supreme Court has” substitute “ the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council have ”.

(6)In section 111(6)(a), for “the Supreme Court decides” substitute “ the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council decide ”.

(7)In the following provisions, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ”

(a)the title to section 112,

(b)subsection (1) of that section,

(c)section 113(1)(b),

(d)section 114(4)(c), and

(e)section 115(2)(b).

(8)In section 115(3)(a), for “the Supreme Court has” substitute “ the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council have ”.

(9)In section 148(1)(f), for “Senior Courts” substitute “ Supreme Court ”.

(10)In paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 9 after “Schedule” insert

(a)the Judicial Committee” means the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and

(b) .

(11)In paragraphs 7(2)(a), 9, 15 and 25 of that Schedule, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ House of Lords ”.

(12)In the following provisions of that Schedule—

(a)paragraph 10 and the heading before it,

(b)paragraph 18 and the heading before it,

(c)paragraph 19,

(d)paragraph 20 and the heading before it,

(e)paragraph 27 and the heading before it,

(f)sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 29 and the heading before it, and

(g)paragraph 30(1),

for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee ”.

(13)In paragraph 11 of that Schedule—

(a)for “Supreme Court”, in both places, substitute “ Judicial Committee ”,

(b)for “permission”, in the first two places, substitute “ leave ”, and

(c)for “permission”, in the third place, substitute “ special leave ”,

and in the heading before it, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee ”.

(14)In paragraph 21 of that Schedule—

(a)for “Supreme Court apart from this paragraph” substitute “ House of Lords ”,

(b)for “Supreme Court”, in the second and third places, substitute “ Judicial Committee ”,

(c)for “permission”, in the first two places, substitute “ leave ”, and

(d)for “permission”, in the third place, substitute “ special leave ”.

(15)In paragraph 28 of that Schedule—

(a)for “Supreme Court”, in both places, substitute “ Judicial Committee ”,

(b)for “permission”, in the first two places, substitute “ leave ”, and

(c)for “permission”, in the third place, substitute “ special leave ”,

and in the heading before it, for “Supreme Court” substitute “ Judicial Committee ”.

(16)Before paragraph 29 of that Schedule insert—

Proceedings in the House of LordsU.K.

28AAny devolution issue which arises in judicial proceedings in the House of Lords is to be referred to the Judicial Committee unless the House considers it more appropriate, having regard to all the circumstances, that it should determine the issue.

67(1)This paragraph has effect until the coming into force of section 23(1) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4).U.K.

(2)Any decision of the Judicial Committee in proceedings under this Act—

(a)must be stated in open court, and

(b)is binding in all legal proceedings (other than proceedings before the Judicial Committee).

(3)The only members of the Judicial Committee who may sit and act as members of the Judicial Committee in proceedings under this Act are those who hold or have held—

(a)the office of a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, or

(b)high judicial office as defined in section 25 of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 (c. 59) (ignoring for this purpose section 5 of the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1887 (c. 70)).

(4)Her Majesty may by Order in Council—

(a)confer on the Judicial Committee in relation to proceedings under this Act such powers as appear to be appropriate,

(b)apply the Judicial Committee Act 1833 (c. 41) in relation to proceedings under this Act with exceptions and modifications, and

(c)make rules for regulating the procedure with respect to proceedings under this Act before the Judicial Committee.

(5)An Order in Council under sub-paragraph (4) may make such modifications of—

(a)any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b)any other instrument or document,

as Her Majesty considers appropriate in connection with the provision made by the Order in Council.

(6)No recommendation is to be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order in Council under sub-paragraph (4) which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the Order in Council has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(7)A statutory instrument containing an Order in Council which makes provision falling within sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (b) is (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Section 163

SCHEDULE 12U.K.Repeals and revocations

Commencement Information

I311Sch. 12 partly in force at Royal Assent, partly in force at 1.4.2007, partly in force immediately after "the 2007 election" and partly in force immediately after the end of "the initial period" (subject to s. 161(6)) by s. 161(1)-(5)

Short title or titleExtent of repeal or revocation
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48)Section 163(1A).
Official Secrets Act 1989 (c. 6)Section 12(2)(aa).
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8)Section 321B(5).
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (c. 9)In Schedule 3, paragraph 8(5).
Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (c. 10)In the Schedule, paragraph 8(5).
Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

Sections 1 to 26.

Section 27(1) to (5) and (8) to (10).

Sections 29 to 103.

Section 104(5).

Sections 106 to 124.

Section 144(6) and (8A).

In section 145(3), the words “(or, before the first ordinary election, the views of the Secretary of State)”.

In section 154—

(a)

in subsection (3), paragraph (a) and, in paragraph (b), the words “96(5), 117,” and the words “144(1) or (4),”,

(b)

subsection (4),

(c)

in subsection (6), in paragraph (a), the words from “3” to “118(1)(f),”, the words “144(1) or (4),” and the words “or paragraph 17(9) of Schedule 9” and paragraph (b) and the word “and” preceding it, and

(d)

subsection (7).

In section 155—

(a)

in subsection (1), the definitions of “Community law” and “delegate”,

(b)

subsection (2), and

(c)

in subsection (3), the words from “; and the” to the end.

Section 156.

Schedules 1 to 3.

Schedule 5.

Schedule 8.

Schedule 11.

In Schedule 12—

(a)

paragraph 2,

(b)

paragraph 7,

(c)

paragraph 8(2)(a), (3) and (4),

(d)

paragraph 12,

(e)

paragraph 13,

(f)

paragraph 15,

(g)

paragraph 17(3)(a),

(h)

paragraph 28, and

(i)

paragraph 30

Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)In Schedule 13, paragraph 8(2) to (4).
Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 (c. 24)In Schedule 2, paragraph 20.
Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14)In Schedule 1, paragraph 27(a).
Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (c. 20)In Schedule 1, paragraphs 22, 23(a) and 24.
Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21)In Schedule 9, paragraph 93.
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

In Schedule 3, paragraphs 8 to 16.

In Schedule 21, paragraph 12.

House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Act 2001 (c. 13)In Schedule 1, paragraph 3.
European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 (c. 24)In Schedule 3, paragraph 6.
Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26)In Schedule 7, paragraphs 3, 6 and 9.
Health (Wales) Act 2003 (c. 4)In Schedule 3, paragraph 10.
Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26)In Schedule 7, paragraph 67.
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)In Schedule 26, paragraph 50.
Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2498)In Schedule 1, paragraph 11(a).
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5)Section 60(7).
Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23)

Section 2.

Sections 6 to 11.

Section 65(2).

In Schedule 2, paragraphs 43 and 45.

Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533)Article 6.
Companies Act 1985 (Inter—national Accounting Standards and Other Accounting Amendments) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2947)In Schedule 7, paragraph 13.
Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4)In Schedule 9, paragraphs 87 to 92.
Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10)

Section 12(9).

Section 16(9).

Section 21(11).

Section 23(6).

In section 24—

(a)

in subsection (2), paragraph (b) and the word “and” preceding it, andsubsection (3).

(b)

In section 41(1), the definition of “Assembly Cabinet”.

Section 44(3).

In Schedule 1, in paragraph 15(3), the words “to it”.

In Schedule 6, paragraphs 62 to 64.

Inquiries Act 2005 (c. 12)In section 1(2), the words following paragraph (c).

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