Clause 47 - Publication of information as to standards of performance
Public Audit (Wales) Bill [Lords]
3:00 pm
Mr Bill Wiggin (Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Local and Devolved Government Affairs; Leominster, Conservative)
I listened carefully to the Minister, but I am not quite sure that I have got what I was after in this case. Comparisons have been made by reference to the criteria of cost, economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The amendment would add the words:
''and may include references to standards of performance achieved by similar authorities outside Wales.''
I am happy to accept the Minister's criticism that the concept of ''similar authorities'' could cause some difficulty; I have always maintained that my drafting, although well intentioned, is not perfect. However, the purpose behind the amendment is to ensure that people do not invent their own standards. The references to the criteria of cost, economy, effectiveness and efficiency suggest that that is what the Government want: they want proper comparison and standards, and they are right to do so. However, unless comparisons are made outside Wales, the Auditor General's job will be more difficult.
As I said earlier, I believe that the Auditor General will have access to information from the Audit Commission, so it should be possible for him to carry out those comparative studies. I hope that the Minister will tell me that that is what will happen—and once that is on the record, his statement can stand instead of my amendment.