Wales Office

The Wales Office is a United Kingdom government department. It is a replacement for the old Welsh Office, which had extensive responisiblity for governing Wales prior to Welsh devolution in 1999. Its current incarnation is significantly less powerful: it is primarily responsible for carrying out the few functions remaining to the Secretary of State for Wales that have not been transferred already to National Assembly for Wales and securing funds for Wales as part of the annual budget settlement.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom government department - Welsh Office - Wales - 1999 - Secretary of State for Wales - National Assembly for Wales

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Secretary of State for Wales has overall responsibility for the office but it is located administratively within the Department for Constitutional Affairs. This was carried out as part of the changes announced on 12 June 2003 that were part of a package intended toward replacing the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Related Topics:
Secretary of State for Wales - Department for Constitutional Affairs - 12 June - 2003 - Lord Chancellor's Department

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ministers of the Wales Office as of 10 May 2005:

Related Topics:
10 May - 2005

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Secretary of State for Wales -- The Rt Hon. Peter Hain (also Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
• Parliamentary Secretary (administratively situated in the Department for Constitutional Affairs) -- Nick Ainger MP
 
Wales Office: External links and references ►