2.1 The Welsh Office

From 1951, Home Secretaries were also designated Minister of State for Welsh affairs. In 1957 this post moved to the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and in 1964 the position of Secretary of State for Wales was created and the Welsh Office was established. The Welsh Office had its own annual budget.

The Secretary of State for Wales has responsibility for a number of areas, which has grown to include trade and industry, agriculture, environment, health, housing, local government and roads, and education and training.