Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 6 Crown status Paragraph 12
665.The Assembly Commission is not a Crown body as it is exercising functions on behalf of the Assembly, rather than on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government (whose Ministers exercise functions on behalf of the Crown).
666.Paragraph 12(1) provides that Her Majesty can make Orders in Council that provide for the Assembly Commission to be treated as a Crown body for the purpose of any enactment. In particular the Order in Council may (sub-paragraph (2)) provide for employment by the Assembly Commission to be treated as Crown employment; or for land held, used or managed by the Assembly Commission, or operations carried out by them, to be treated as Crown land or operations. This mirrors provision made in relation to the Parliamentary corporate bodies of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and that made in relation to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
667.The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (Crown Status) Order 1999 (SI 1999/677) is an example of what such an Order in Council may cover. It provides for that Body to be treated as a Crown body for the purposes of various enactments relating to planning, building legislation, fire precautions, VAT and data protection.
668.Paragraph 12(3) provides that “Crown body” means a servant or agent of the Crown and includes a government department.
669.Paragraph 12(4) provides that an Order in Council which requires the Assembly Commission to be treated as a Crown body under any enactment can be annulled by a resolution of either House of Parliament, or by resolution of the Assembly.