Commentary on Sections and Schedules Detailed Comments on Part 1 The Assembly Section 1: The Assembly
36.This section provides for establishment of the legislative body called the National Assembly for Wales (“the Assembly”) and the Assembly Members who comprise its membership. The corporate body which was set up under the Government of Wales Act 1998 with legislative and executive powers, and which was also called the “National Assembly for Wales”, will cease to exist.
37.Membership of the Assembly is to consist of Assembly Members of two descriptions: Assembly constituency members and Assembly regional members. Each Assembly constituency elects one Assembly constituency member. Each Assembly region, of which there are five, elects four regional members.
38.Assembly Members will be elected in general elections (in which all Assembly seats are up for election), in by-elections (for Assembly constituency members only), or by application of the rules for filling vacant regional seats. The rules for all these processes are to be found in this Act , in subordinate legislation made under it and in other legislation relating to elections
39.When a seat in the Assembly becomes vacant (for example, because of the death or resignation of an Assembly constituency or regional member), the fact that there is a vacancy does not invalidate anything done by the Assembly, or by its committees or sub-committees.