Clause 1 - Transfer of functions of Assembly
Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords]
9:25 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Local and Devolved Government Affairs; Leominster, Conservative)
Amendment No. 1 is a probing amendment to clarify the relationship between the Auditor General and the Assembly, and what would happen if the Auditor General did not agree with the Assembly. I seek an assurance from the Minister that the procedure in the event of a disagreement is robust. The wording that the Assembly should seek the consent of the Auditor General implies that the Auditor General is superior and has the power to refuse consent. The amendment is designed to find out whether that is the intention. We believe that the word ''consultation'' allows for a more open procedure on a more equal footing, meaning that disagreements would not cause any problems.
Amendment No. 2 would leave out subsection (2)(a), because its definition of the public body as
''exercising functions of a public nature''
is too imprecise. We are concerned that the definition could include a private sector company performing public works as a contractor, such as a road builder. Does paragraph (a) mean that the Auditor General could look into the affairs of private companies? There are many small organisations funded substantially through commercial contracts with the public sector, but there is no exemption for them. It is important that public money is properly audited, but I am concerned that small enterprises substantially funded in that way could fall under the provision.