Government of Wales Act 1998

Part I U.K. The National Assembly for Wales

The Assembly U.K.

1 The Assembly. U.K.

F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

2 Membership. U.K.

F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

Ordinary elections U.K.

3 Time of ordinary elections. U.K.

F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

4 Voting at ordinary elections. U.K.

F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F4 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

5 Party lists and individual candidates. U.K.

F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

6 Calculation of electoral region figures. U.K.

F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F6 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

7 Return of electoral region members. U.K.

F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F7 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

Vacancies U.K.

8 Constituency seats. U.K.

F8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F8 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

9 Electoral region seats. U.K.

F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F9 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

The franchise and conduct of elections U.K.

10 Entitlement to vote. U.K.

F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F10 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

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

F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F11 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

Disqualification U.K.

12 Disqualification from being Assembly member. U.K.

F12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F12 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

12 Disqualification from being Assembly member. U.K.

[F21 (1) A person is disqualified from being an Assembly member if—

(a) he is disqualified from being a member of the House of Commons under paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 1(1) of the M1 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (judges, civil servants, members of the armed forces, members of police forces and members of foreign legislatures),

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

(c) he holds the office of Auditor General for Wales F22 . . . ,

[F23 (ca) he holds the office of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales; ]or

(d) he is disqualified from being a member of a local authority under section 17(2)(b) or 18(7) of the M2 Audit Commission Act 1998 (members of local authorities who are responsible for incurring or authorising unlawful expenditure or whose wilful misconduct has caused a loss or deficiency).

(2) Subject to section 13(1) and (2), a person is also disqualified from being an Assembly member if he is disqualified otherwise than under the M3 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (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 M4 People Act 1981 (disqualification of offenders detained in, or unlawfully at large from detention in, the British Islands or the Republic of Ireland) shall 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) may designate particular offices or offices of any description and 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 shall 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, each House of Parliament.

(7) But subsection (6) does not apply in the case of an Order in Council varying or revoking a previous Order in Council if the Assembly has resolved that the Secretary of State be requested to recommend the making of the Order in Council.]

Textual Amendments

F21 S. 12 repealed (25.7.2006 insofar as relating to s.12(1)(d)) by by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161(2), 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11)

F22 Words in s. 12(1)(c) repealed (12.10.2005 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.2006) by Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10), ss. 39, 40, Sch. 6 para. 62(a), Sch. 7; S.I. 2005/2800, arts. 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. 1

F23 S. 12(1)(ca) inserted (12.10.2005 for certain purposes, otherwise 1.4.2006) by Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (c. 10), ss. 39, 40, Sch. 6 para. 62(b); S.I. 2005/2800, arts. 3, 5, Sch. 1 Pt. 1

Marginal Citations

M1 1975 c. 24.

M2 1998 c. 18.

M3 1975 c. 24.

M4 1981 c. 34.

13 Exceptions and relief from disqualification. U.K.

F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F13 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

14 Effect of disqualification. U.K.

F14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F14 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

15 Judicial proceedings as to disqualification. U.K.

F15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

Remuneration, oaths etc. U.K.

16 Salaries and allowances. U.K.

F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

17 Limit on salaries of members of other public bodies. U.K.

F17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

18 Pensions etc. U.K.

F18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

19 Publication of information about remuneration paid. U.K.

F19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F19 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.

20 Oath or affirmation of allegiance. U.K.

F20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F20 Ss. 1-26 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) (which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes 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)) and s. 161(6) of the amending Act - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)-(6) of the amending Act.