Legal issues
Section 44: Corrupt practice
209.The effect of the section is to make members and staff of both the Assembly and the Assembly Commission subject to liability for criminal offences under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916. It does so by making both the Assembly and the Assembly Commission (by whom staff of the Assembly are employed) public bodies for the purposes of those Acts.
210.The Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act 1889, the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and the Prevention of Corruption Act 1916 are known together as the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916. The Acts create certain offences related to bribery and corruption of and by members, officers or servants of local authorities, government departments and other public bodies in connection with those bodies’ business.
211.The Welsh Ministers, Deputy Welsh Ministers, the Counsel General and their staff will also be covered by the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 1916 to the extent that Ministers of the Crown and Crown servants are covered.