Wales Office - Definition and Overview

The Wales Office is nominally a United Kingdom government department. Before Welsh devolution in 1998 the department had extensive powers, but it is now much less important. Although the Secretary of State for Wales has overall responsibility for the office 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.

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 as well as securing funds for Wales as part of the annual budget settlement.

Ministers of the Wales Office as of 7th November 2004

• Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal, and Secretary of State for Wales - The Rt Hon. Peter Hain
  • Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (administratively situated in the Department for Constitutional Affairs) - Don Touhig MP

External links and references

• Official website of the Wales Office (http://www.walesoffice.gov.uk)