What’s the difference between the Wales Office, the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Assembly for Wales?
The Wales Office is a part of the UK Government. Since May 2007 it has been a distinct entity within the Ministry of Justice. Although it is part of the Ministry of Justice the Secretary of State for Wales is a distinct role which is not classed as a Ministry of Justice Minister. The Wales Office is Wales’ voice in Westminster and Westminster’s voice in Wales. The Wales Office is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of Welsh legislation through Parliament. It is responsible for financial transactions between the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government and also undertakes certain reserved functions for Wales. The National Assembly for Wales was officially formed in 1999 after the Government of Wales Act 1998. In 2005 the White Paper “Better Governance for Wales” recognised the need to separate the National Assembly for Wales into the Welsh Assembly Government (the executive) on the one hand, and the National Assembly for Wales (the legislature) on the other. The Welsh Ass
