I am very pleased to be asked to
write this Preface to the Service provided by Wales Legislation
Online. It has now been in operation for over three years. It continues
to be the only comprehensive analysis of the powers of and the
secondary legislation made by the National Assembly. It thoroughly
deserves the commendation given to it by the Welsh Affairs Select
Committee of the House of Commons in its report published in March
2003, The Primary Legislative Process as it Affects Wales. The
Committee welcomed the “crucial work that has been achieved
by Wales Legislation Online.” It is indeed a valuable resource.
This Service has two main and important purposes. First, it
analyses by subject headings those Acts of Parliament which give
powers to the National Assembly. Secondly, it sets out the legislation
that it has made. In both respects, the Service is regularly
updated. The Assembly does not exercise its powers by reference
to subject areas but by reference to specific Acts of Parliament.
The functions exercisable by Ministers under these Acts in relation
to England are exercisable in relation to Wales either wholly
by the Assembly, or partly by the Assembly and partly by central
government or by the Assembly together with Ministers. Each such
Act differs in the extent to which the Assembly is given powers.
There are no general principles in this respect; consequently
each Act has to be fully analysed. Since 1999, in certain Acts,
Westminster has given powers to the Assembly which are not exercisable
by Ministers in relation to England. In addition, major amendments
have been made to the Acts of Parliament mentioned in the first
Transfer of Functions Order which gave the Assembly its initial
powers.
As the scope of the Assembly’s powers become more complex,
so the Service grows in importance. The editorial team has made
substantial changes to its format which will enable users more
quickly to identify the Assembly’s powers and the legislation
it has made. The Service remains the only central source of information
for Assembly members and officials, legal and other practitioners
and all those who are involved in the public life of Wales.
I fully support its wide ranging and necessary work and I give
the Service my very best wishes for its continuing success.
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