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Richard Commission

Following agreement between the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties which formed the Assembly Government at that time, a Commission was set up in 2002 to consider the scope of powers and electoral arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales as they had developed since 1999.

The Richard Commission was appointed in 2002, to review:

  • the scope of the Assembly’s powers: whether they are adequate to meet the needs of Wales; and
  • the number of elected Assembly Members and their method of election.

The Commission considered proposals for broadening the powers of the Assembly; whether it should be given powers in a wider range of policy areas; and the policy and practical implications. The Commission concluded that a more strategic approach was needed in formulating proposals to extend the Assembly’s powers.

The Richard Commission report, published in March 2004, is a detailed study of the 1998 devolution settlement and its impact on the way Wales is governed.

Visit the Richard Commission website to view its findings.