- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Government of Wales Act 1998
You are here:
- UK Public General Acts
- 1998 c. 38
- Part VII
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Changes over time for: Part VII
Changes to legislation:
Government of Wales Act 1998, Part VII is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 104(1A) inserted by 2022 asc 1 s. 68(6)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 5A 5B by 2000 c. 41 Sch. 3 para. 10(5) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 3 paras. 8-16 repealed without ever being in force by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 163, {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, 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) -- see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.)
- Sch. 17 para. 11A inserted by 2022 asc 1 Sch. 4 para. 12(4)(b)
Part VIIU.K. Supplementary
151 Power to amend enactments.U.K.
(1)The Secretary of State may by order make in any enactment—
(a)contained in an Act passed before or in the same session as this Act, or
(b)made before the passing of this Act or in the session in which this Act is passed,
such amendments or repeals as appear to him to be appropriate in consequence of this Act.
(2)An Order in Council under section [F158 of the Government of Wales Act 2006] may include any provision that may be included in an order under subsection (1).
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 151(2) substituted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 52} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
152 Repeals.U.K.
Schedule 18 (which contains repeals, including repeals of spent enactments) has effect.
Commencement Information
I1S. 152 partly in force; S. 152 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 158; s. 152 in force for certain purposes at 2.9.1998, 1.10.1998, and 1.11.1998 by S.I. 1998/2244, arts. 3, 4, 5; s. 152 in force for certain purposes at 1.2.1999 by S.I. 1999/118, art. 2; s. 152 in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1999 by S.I. 1999/782, art. 2; s. 152 in force for certain purposes at 1.7.1999 by S.I. 1999/1290, art. 4
153 Transitional provisions etc.U.K.
(1)The Secretary of State may by order make such transitional, consequential, incidental or supplementary provision, or such savings, as he considers appropriate for the purpose of or in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.
(2)If section 107 comes into force before the Human Rights Act 1998 has come into force (or come fully into force), that section shall have effect until the time when that Act is fully in force as it will have effect after that time.
154 Orders and directions.U.K.
(1)Any power of a Minister of the Crown or the [F2Welsh Ministers] under this Act to make an order shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
(2)No order to which this subsection applies shall be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
(3)Subsection (2) applies—
(a)F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)to an order under section F4. . . 133(3), 139(3), 143(3), F5. . . 146(1), F6... or 151 F7... which contains provisions in the form of amendments or repeals of enactments contained in an Act.
(4)F8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5)A statutory instrument containing an order to which this subsection applies shall (unless a draft of the statutory instrument has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament) be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(6)Subsection (5) applies—
(a)to an order under section F9. . . 130(4), 133(3), 136(4), 139(3), 140(5), 143(3), F10. . . 146(1), F11..., 151 or 153, paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 F12... F13. . . , F14. . .
(b)F15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7)F16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8)Any power conferred by this Act to give a direction includes power to vary or revoke the direction.
Textual Amendments
F2Words in s. 154(1) substituted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 53(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F3Words in s. 154(3)(a) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(3)(a), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F4Words in s. 154(3)(b) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(3)(b)(i), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F5Words in s. 154(3)(b) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(3)(b)(ii), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F6Word in s. 154(3)(b) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 11(3) (with art. 24)
F7Words in s. 154(3)(b) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 15(3)(a) (with art. 24)
F8S. 154(4) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(4), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F9Words in s. 154(6)(a) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(5)(a)(i), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F10Words in s. 154(6)(a) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(5)(a)(ii), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F11Word in s. 154(6)(a) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 11(3) (with art. 24)
F12Words in s. 154(6)(a) omitted (with effect in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Consequential Provision) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1821), arts. 1(2), 15(3)(b) (with art. 24)
F13Words in s. 154(6)(a) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(5)(a)(iii), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F14Word in s. 154(6)(a) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(5)(a)(iii), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F15S. 154(6)(b) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(5)(b), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F16S. 154(7) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(6), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
155 Interpretation.U.K.
(1)In this Act—
F17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F18“the Assembly” means the National Assembly for Wales,]
[F19“Audit Committee” has the meaning given by section 30 of the Government of Wales Act 2006,]
[F20“cross-border body” means any body (including a government department) or undertaker exercising functions, or carrying on activities, in or with respect to Wales (or any part of Wales) and anywhere else,]
[F21“English border area” means a part of England adjoining Wales (but not the whole of England),]
“enactment” includes subordinate legislation,
“functions” includes powers and duties,
“Minister of the Crown” includes the Treasury,
“subordinate legislation” has the same meaning as in the M1Interpretation Act 1978, and
[F22“Wales” has the same meaning as in the Government of Wales Act 2006;]
and related expressions shall be construed accordingly.
(2)F23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)In this Act “financial year” means the twelve months ending with 31st March F24. . . .
(4)Section 13 of the M2National Audit Act 1983 (interpretation of references to the Committee of Public Accounts) applies for the purposes of this Act as for those of that Act.
Textual Amendments
F17S.155(1): the definitions of "Community Law and delegate" repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 54(3), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F18S. 155(1): the definition of "the Assembly" inserted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 54(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
F19S. 155(1): the definition " Audit Committee" inserted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 54(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
F20S. 155(1): the definition "cross-border body" inserted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 54(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
F21S. 155(1): the definition " English border area" inserted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 54(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
F22S. 155(1): the definition "Wales" substituted by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, {Sch. 10 para. 54(2)} (with Sch. 11), the amending provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(5) of the amending Act
F23S. 155(2) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 54(5), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the amending/ repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
F24Words in s. 155(3) repealed by the Government of Wales Act 2006, (c. 32), ss. 160, 161, 163, Sch. 10 para. 53(6), {Sch. 12} (with Sch. 11), the repealing provision coming into force 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) - see ss. 46, 161(4)(c)(d)(5) (subject to s. 161(6)) of the amending Act
Marginal Citations
156 Defined expressions.U.K.
F25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F25S. 156 repealed by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), ss. 161, 163, Sch. 12 (with Sch. 11), the repealing 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.
157 Financial provisions.U.K.
(1)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
(a)any expenditure incurred by any Minister of the Crown or government department under or by virtue of this Act, and
(b)any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.
(2)There shall be paid out of the National Loans Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of that Fund under any other enactment.
(3)There shall be paid into the National Loans Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable into that Fund under any other enactment.
(4)There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund any sums received by the Secretary of State under or by virtue of this Act (apart from any required to be paid into the National Loans Fund).
158 Commencement.U.K.
(1)Parts I and II, the provisions of Part III other than sections 50 and 51, Parts IV to VI and section 152 (and Schedule 18) shall not come into force until such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.
(2)Different days may be appointed under this section for different purposes.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 158 power partly exercised: different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1998/2244
S. 158 power partly exercised: 1.12.1998 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1998/2789
S. 158 power partly exercised: 1.2.1999 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1999/118
S. 158 power partly exercised: 1.4.1999 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1999/782
S. 158 power partly exercised: different dates appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1999/1290
S. 158 power partly exercised: 14.5.2001 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 2001/1756
159 Short title.U.K.
This Act may be cited as the Government of Wales Act 1998.
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThis Part only
You have chosen to open The Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open the Whole Act
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
You have chosen to open Schedules only
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.