Volume 9: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Part 1: Wales
3. Statutory framework and responsibilities
The Welsh Office

3.3 The Welsh Office consisted of 12 operational groups or Departments under its Permanent Secretary (Grade 1) and two Deputy Secretaries (Grade 2). The Departments themselves consisted of a number of more specialised divisions. ¹ The two parts of the Welsh Office most involved in the BSE story were the Agriculture Department (WOAD) and, within the Health Department (WOHD), the Health Professionals Group under the Chief Medical Officer for Wales.

3.4 While there was a cadre of Welsh Office staff in Gwydyr House in Whitehall, the bulk of the permanent staff were housed in Cathays Park, Cardiff. The Welsh Office was smaller and more tight-knit than the operational Departments in Whitehall, and there was day-to-day contact across the divisions and groups dealing with health, protection of the environment, agriculture, housing and finance. The Permanent Secretary at the Welsh Office between 1993 and 1996, Mr Michael Scholar, told the Inquiry that, given the width of the Welsh Office's responsibilities, it was necessary for Ministers and senior officials generally to work on a highly delegated basis. ²

3.5 Although MAFF and DH took the lead in some matters, the Welsh Office was consulted as policy was developed, and its officials would become involved in policy formulation when:

1. the issue was one where a different solution was needed in Wales;
2. the issue was of particular importance in Wales; or
3. the issue was important generally and Welsh Office involvement would contribute to wider discussion. ³

3.6 On the other hand, the Welsh Office was unlikely to become involved when:

1. the issue was technical and the Welsh Office did not have access to independent advice;
2. the issue was of little relevance to Wales; or
3. the issue had no particular implications for Wales and the Welsh Office could make no contributions to discussion about it. ⁴