Part 4Miscellaneous

68Office of Communications

1

Section 1 of the Office of Communications Act 2002 (the Office of Communications) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).

2

In subsection (3), after paragraph (aa) insert—

ab

a member appointed by the Welsh Ministers;

3

After subsection (3A) insert—

3B

Before appointing a member under subsection (3)(ab) the Welsh Ministers must consult the Secretary of State.

4

In subsection (5), before “and (b),” insert “, (ab)”.

5

After subsection (11) insert—

12

Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule apply in relation to the appointment made under subsection (3)(ab) as if—

a

any reference to the Secretary of State were to the Welsh Ministers, and

b

after the paragraph 2(7) treated as inserted by subsection (11) there were inserted—

8

Before the Welsh Ministers remove a person from office they must consult the Secretary of State.

6

The Schedule to that Act is amended as set out in subsections (7) and (8).

7

In paragraph 11 (accounts and audit)—

a

in sub-paragraph (3)(c), after “the Scottish Ministers” insert “and the Welsh Ministers”;

b

after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

5

The Welsh Ministers shall lay a copy of the statement and report sent to them under sub-paragraph (3) before the National Assembly for Wales.

8

In paragraph 12 (annual report)—

a

in sub-paragraph (1), for “and the Scottish Ministers” substitute “, the Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Ministers”;

b

after sub-paragraph (4) insert—

5

The Welsh Ministers shall lay a copy of every report sent to them under this paragraph before the National Assembly for Wales.