Clause 24 - Consideration of reports in public interest
Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords]
11:00 am
Mr Don Touhig (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales), Department for Constitutional Affairs; Islwyn, Labour/Co-operative)
I shall return to that point in a moment.
The requirements set out in clause 24 as drafted make robust and pragmatic arrangements for the consideration of reports in the public interest. Amendment No. 30 would have the opposite effect, by imposing on the smaller bodies a definite timetable and process for considering certain written recommendations from their auditors. The fact that the smaller local government bodies are not currently subject to such requirements recognises their comparatively small administrative resource base and the fact that they meet with less frequency. I hope that that covers the point that particularly concerned the hon. Gentleman and that he will feel able to withdraw the amendment.