Clause 11 - Access to information, etc by Auditor General
Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords]
10:30 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Local and Devolved Government Affairs; Leominster, Conservative)
I should like to be satisfied, but the truth remains that if everything that the Minister says is right, why is it necessary to apply it to social landlords or local government? There is an inconsistency here: we either need criminal sanctions or we do not. I would expect a judicial review to be a long and difficult process, so it makes it much easier to have, if necessary, criminal sanctions throughout the Bill, or not.
At present, there is a difference between social landlords and local government, and the amendment. That is the problem that the Government face, and I do not think that the Minister answered that. He must understand why I am concerned about this, and unless he receives any divine inspiration, it will be difficult for him to answer the point. It is important to be consistent in legislation. Many Members have turned up this morning to contribute to our debates, and they would want, just as much as I do, a consistent Bill for the people of Wales, not different rules for different people according to how they are pigeonholed. I am not at all happy with the Minister's reply at this stage.