Clause 3 - Studies for improving economy etc in services
Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords]
9:45 am
Mr Bill Wiggin (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Local and Devolved Government Affairs; Leominster, Conservative)
I am particularly keen to intervene on the Minister because I do not want him to finish before having the chance to consider this. We all recognise the importance of an expert being able to comment, but quite a harsh turn of phrase is used to prevent the Auditor General from commenting. Surely, in the interests of effectiveness and efficiency, he ought at least to be able to say something that would be helpful. I am prepared to recognise that simply deleting the wording is not the best solution, but might not some modification be possible to enable him to make a constructive input without impinging on his independence?