Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 2 Ministers, staff, etc Section 68: Contracts
267.This section allows the Secretary of State to make an order applying, subject to any appropriate modifications, the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 to contracts entered into by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister or the Counsel General. A similar provision was contained in section 39 of GoWA. The effect of such an order would be to prevent it being argued in private law proceedings that a contract covered by the order is ultra vires and therefore unenforceable. This is intended to protect contractors and lenders dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government.