About the Wales Office
Established in 1999, the Wales Office supports the Secretary of State for Wales in ensuring the smooth working of the devolution settlement in Wales, and representing Welsh interests within the UK Government and the UK Government in Wales.
As well as being 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 and for financial transactions between the UK Government and the National Assembly for Wales. It also undertakes certain reserved functions for Wales.
The Wales Office is based in Gwydyr House, Whitehall, London. The Wales Office also has staff based at Discovery House, Cardiff Bay.
The current Secretary of State for Wales is Cheryl Gillan. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales is David Jones.
The Secretary of State is responsible for steering through Parliament legislation which concerns only Wales. Following the Government of Wales Act 2006, this now includes Orders in Council designed to enhance the Assembly’s legislative competence.
The Wales Office is one of the smallest Government departments with around 60 staff.