Government of Wales Act 1998

E28086

The Government of Wales Act 1998 is a key piece of UK legislation that established devolved government in Wales by creating the National Assembly for Wales and defining its powers and structures.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom
constitutional statute
amendedBy Government of Wales Act 2006
cameIntoForce 1999-07-01
citation 1998 c. 38
containsPart provisions on Assembly elections
provisions on Assembly proceedings
provisions on finance and audit for the Assembly
provisions on the Welsh Administration Ombudsman
country United Kingdom
createdBody National Assembly for Wales
defines powers of the National Assembly for Wales
structure of the National Assembly for Wales
electoralSystemSpecified Additional Member System for Assembly elections
enabled creation of a corporate body National Assembly for Wales
governs devolution settlement for Wales (1999–2007)
implementedFollowing 1997 Welsh devolution referendum
introducedAsBillBy UK Government
jurisdiction Wales
languageOfStatute English
legislatureEnactedBy Parliament of the United Kingdom
longTitle An Act to establish and make provision about the National Assembly for Wales and the transfer of functions to it; and for connected purposes.
modelOfDevolution executive devolution
numberOfAssemblyMembers 60
parliament Parliament of the United Kingdom
partlySupersededBy Government of Wales Act 2006
precededBy Wales Act 1978 (failed implementation)
primaryPurpose to create the National Assembly for Wales
to establish devolved government in Wales
to transfer certain powers from UK ministers to the National Assembly for Wales
providedFor appointment of Assembly Secretaries (later Welsh Ministers)
appointment of an Assembly First Secretary (later First Minister)
establishment of Assembly Committees
executive powers for the National Assembly for Wales
four-year fixed terms for the National Assembly for Wales
secondary legislative powers for the National Assembly for Wales
regionAffected Wales
relatedTo United Kingdom constitutional law
Welsh devolution
royalAssent 1998-07-31
shortTitle Government of Wales Act 1998
status amended
subjectMatter constitutional law
devolution
public administration in Wales
transferredFunctionsFrom Secretary of State for Wales
transferredFunctionsTo National Assembly for Wales
yearEnacted 1998


Please wait…