Welsh Assembly Government www.wales.gov.uk
The Assembly decides on its priorities and allocates the funds made available to it from the Treasury. Within its powers, the Assembly develops and implements policies which reflect the particular needs of the people of Wales. Decisions about these issues are made by politicians who are accountable, through the ballot box, to voters in Wales. Wales remains part of the UK and the Secretary of State for Wales and Members of Parliament (MPs) from Welsh constituencies continue to have seats in Westminster. Laws passed by Parliament in Westminster still apply to Wales.
The Assembly is chaired by the Presiding Officer, who is the equivalent of the Speaker of the House of Commons and who is elected by the whole Assembly. Once elected, the Presiding Officer serves the Assembly impartially. There is also a Deputy Presiding Officer who is elected in the same way.
The 60 Assembly Members delegate their executive powers (the making and implementing of decisions and laws) to the First Minister, who is elected by the whole Assembly and therefore usually represents the largest political party. The First Minister in turn delegates responsibility for delivering the executive functions to Assembly Ministers, who form the Cabinet. The
Cabinet makes many of the Assembly's day to day decisions, and its Ministers are responsible for individual subject areas such as health and education. The Cabinet is accountable to the rest of the Assembly, which scrutinises all its decisions and actions.
National Assembly for Wales
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff CF99 1NA
Tel: +44 (0) 29 20 825111
E-mail: assembly.info@wales.gsi.gov.uk