- guardian.co.uk, Monday 16 July 2007 15.41 BST
The Welsh assembly building in Cardiff Bay. Photograph: David Jones/PA.
It can implement laws that affect:
· agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural development
· ancient monuments and historic buildings
· culture
· economic development
· education and training
· the environment
· fire and rescue services and the promotion of fire safety
· food
· health and health services
· highways and transport
· housing
· local government
· public administration
· social welfare
· sport and recreation
· tourism
· town and county planning
· water and flood defence
· the Welsh language
The assembly has no tax-raising powers - unlike the Scottish parliament - but it can make regulations and set statutory guidance, and pass assembly measures.
What are they?
The Government of Wales Act 2006 increased the powers of the assembly, allowing it to pass legislation - or assembly measures - on such matters as health, education, social services and local government.
Without the UK parliament's say-so?
No. The assembly still needs to get permission - "legislative competence" - from Westminster on a case-by-case basis if it wants to pass measures concerning one of those areas.
Which policy areas are still completely controlled by Westminster?
· the constitution
· defence
· foreign affairs
· electricity, coal, oil and gas
· nuclear energy
· employment
· financial and macroeconomic matters
· social security
Will the powers increase again?
They might do. The 2006 act also makes provision for a referendum on increasing the assembly's powers to the level of the Scottish parliament's - including the power to vary tax rates. The decision of Labour to go into coalition with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh nationalist party, has made this more likely.
