Government of Wales Act 1998

Part I — The National Assembly for Wales

The Assembly

Power to amend enactments.

1

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

Membership

2

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

Ordinary elections

Time of ordinary elections

3

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

Voting at ordinary elections

4

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

Party lists and individual candidates

5

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

Calculation of electoral region figures

6

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

Return of electoral region members

7

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

Vacancies

Constituency seats

8

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

Electoral region seats

9

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

The franchise and conduct of elections

Entitlement to vote

10

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

Power to make provision about elections etc

11

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

Disqualification

Disqualification from being Assembly member

12

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

Exceptions and relief from disqualification

13

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

Effect of disqualification

14

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

Judicial proceedings as to disqualification

15

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

Remuneration, oaths etc.

Salaries and allowances

16

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

Limit on salaries of members of other public bodies

17

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

Pensions etc

18

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

Publication of information about remuneration paid

19

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

Oath or affirmation of allegiance

20

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

Part II — Assembly functions

Introduction

Introductory

21

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

Transfer of Ministerial functions to Assembly

Transfer of Ministerial functions

22

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

General transfer of property, rights and liabilities etc

23

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

General transfer: supplementary

24

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

Power to make specific transfers etc

25

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

Transfers of property: supplementary

26

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

Other functions

Reform of Welsh health authorities

27

• (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reform of other Welsh public bodies

28

• (1) The Welsh Ministers may by order make, in relation to any one or more of the statutory functions of a body specified in Part I ... of Schedule 4, provision for the transfer of the function or functions—

• (a) to a body specified in Part I ... of that Schedule,

• (b) to a body specified in Part ... IV of that Schedule if that body consents to the transfer to it of the function or functions,

• (c) to a county council, county borough council or community council in Wales (or to more than one such council), or

• (d) to the Welsh Ministers .

• (2) Where the Welsh Ministers consider that, if a statutory function of a body specified in Part I ... of Schedule 4 were transferred to a body within any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) by an order under that subsection, that body—

• (a) would not be able to exercise the function because the function requires or permits something to be done in relation to that body, or

• (b) could by exercising another of its functions do what the function would require or permit that body to do,

the Welsh Ministers may by order make provision for the abolition of the function.

• (3) Where each of the statutory functions of a body specified in Part I ... of Schedule 4 is transferred or abolished by an order under subsection (1) or (2), the Welsh Ministers may by order make provision—

• (a) for the abolition of the body if it is a body specified in Part I of that Schedule, ...

• (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (4) An order under subsection (1), (2) or (3)(a) making provision in relation to a body specified in Part I of Schedule 4 may include provision for the transfer of staff of the body and of any property, rights and liabilities to which the body is entitled or subject and may in particular—

• (a) 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,

• (b) provide for the creation of interests in, or rights over, property transferred or retained or for the creation of new rights and liabilities between the body and the transferee,

• (c) provide for the order to have effect in spite of any provision (of whatever nature) which would prevent or restrict the transfer of the property, rights or liabilities otherwise than by the order, or

• (d) make provision about property situated outside the United Kingdom or rights and liabilities arising otherwise than under the law of England and Wales.

• (5) Where by an order under subsection (1) or (2)—

• (a) any function of a body specified in Part I of Schedule 4 is transferred or abolished, or

• (b) any function is transferred to a body specified in Part I ... of that Schedule,

the Welsh Ministers may by order make provision altering the membership of the body.

• (6) An order under subsection (3)(a) making provision for the abolition of a body may include provision for the abolition of any duty in compliance with which it was established or constituted.

• (7) An order under this section may contain any appropriate consequential, incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions or savings (including provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments).

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

• (8) In this section “statutory functions” means functions conferred or imposed by an enactment (including an enactment which is contained in an Act passed after this Act or is made after the passing of this Act).

Implementation of Community law

29

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

Consultation about public appointments

30

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

Consultation about government’s legislative programme

31

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

Support of culture etc

32

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

Consideration of matters affecting Wales

33

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

Ancillary powers etc.

Staff

34

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

Inquiries

35

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

Polls for ascertaining views of the public

36

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

Private bills

37

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

Legal proceedings

38

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

Contracts

39

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

Supplementary powers

40

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

Agency arrangements and provision of services

41

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

Supplementary

Different exercise of functions by Assembly

42

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

Construction of references to Ministers and departments

43

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

Parliamentary procedures for subordinate legislation

44

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

Laying of reports and statements

45

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

Part III — Assembly procedure

Introductory

Regulation of procedure

46

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

Equal treatment of English and Welsh languages

47

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

Equal opportunities in conduct of business

48

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

Initial provisions

First meeting

49

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

First standing orders

50

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

The Commissioners

51

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

Offices and committees

Presiding officer and deputy

52

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

Assembly First Secretary and Assembly Secretaries

53

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

Committees

54

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

Sub-committees

55

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

The statutory committees

Executive committee

56

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

Subject committees

57

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

Subordinate legislation scrutiny committee

58

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

Members of scrutiny committee etc

59

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

Audit Committee

60

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

Regional committees

61

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

Delegation

Delegation of functions

62

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

Exercise of functions by Assembly staff

63

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

Procedures relating to subordinate legislation

Standing orders to provide procedures

64

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

Regulatory appraisals

65

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

Making of Assembly general subordinate legislation

66

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

Disapplication of procedural requirements

67

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

Financial initiative

68

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

Other provisions about standing orders

Preservation of order

69

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

Openness

70

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

Participation of Assembly members

71

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

Integrity

72

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

Publication

73

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

Evidence and documents relating to public bodies

Power to require attendance and production of documents

74

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

Witnesses and documents: supplementary

75

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

Miscellaneous

Attendance of Secretary of State for Wales

76

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

Defamation

77

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

Contempt of court

78

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

Corrupt practices

79

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

Part IV — Assembly finance

Payments to Assembly etc.

Grants to Assembly

80

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

Statement of estimated payments etc

81

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

Loans to Assembly by Secretary of State

82

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

Accounts relating to loans under section 82

83

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

Destination of receipts etc

84

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