Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 2 “Inclusive” approach to exercise of functions Section 82: International obligations etc.
298.This section relates to international obligations of the United Kingdom which impinge on functions of the Welsh Ministers (and of the First Minister or Counsel General).
299.It firstly gives the Secretary of State a power to intervene in order to restrain and if necessary reverse action by the Welsh Ministers etc. which the Secretary of State considers to be incompatible with such an obligation. The Welsh Ministers etc. can be directed by order not to take a proposed action (including the making of subordinate legislation) and any subordinate legislation which has been made by the Welsh Ministers etc. (or which was made under powers since transferred to the Welsh Ministers etc. so that they now have the power to revoke it) may be revoked by order made by the Secretary of State, which may have retrospective effect.
300.The Secretary of State may also by order direct the Welsh Ministers etc. to take action which is within their powers if this is necessary in order to give effect to an international obligation.
301.If an international obligation requires a result to be achieved by reference to a quantity and that quantity relates to the United Kingdom as a whole, or to a part of the United Kingdom which includes Wales, the Secretary of State may make an order apportioning the obligation so as to define what contribution the Welsh Ministers must make to the achievement of that result.
302.Orders under this section, with the exception of orders under subsection (1) directing that a proposed action should not be taken may only be made after the Secretary of State has consulted the Welsh Ministers, and the orders must state the reason why they are being made.
303.Orders directing the Welsh Ministers etc. not to act in a way which they propose and those apportioning international obligations are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. Those requiring the Welsh Ministers to take action and those revoking subordinate legislation require affirmative resolutions of each House of Parliament before they can be made.