Volume 9: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Part 1: Wales
3. Statutory framework and responsibilities
The Secretary of State for Wales

3.1 During the years covered by this Report, the Secretary of State for Wales and his Department, the Welsh Office, had formal responsibility for most aspects of agriculture and health in Wales. Where agriculture or health matters affected the UK as a whole, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and the Department of Health (DH) respectively took the policy lead. ¹ However, the Secretary of State for Wales was consulted about any policy decisions affecting Wales, and, as a member of the Cabinet, could press his concerns there. Secondary legislation such as Regulations and Orders usually required his formal approval as a co-signatory. He was advised on animal health matters by a Regional Veterinary Officer of the State Veterinary Service, who was designated Veterinary Adviser to the Welsh Office. The Welsh Office also had its own Chief Medical Officer, who advised the Secretary of State on human health matters. In principle, the advice of Welsh Office officials to the Secretary of State for Wales could have differed from that offered to the Secretary of State for Health or the MAFF Minister. However, the consultative process meant that this situation arose comparatively infrequently. ²

3.2 During the period covered by the Report, the following Ministers were successively Secretary of State for Wales. Mr (later Lord) Peter Walker held the office between 1987 and 1990, and was succeeded by Mr David Hunt, who was Secretary of State until 1993. Mr John Redwood succeeded Mr Hunt until 1995, when the latter returned as Acting Secretary of State for a period of a few days before Mr William Hague took over. Mr Hague held office for the remainder of the period.