HC Deb 14 July 1994 vol 246 cc749-51W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, (1) pursuant to his oral statement of 7 July,Official Report, column 470, on what date he made the request to the Welsh Development Agency to set up an independent investigation into the Cynon valley land deal;

(2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning the appointment of new accountants to succeed KPMG Peat Marwick in examining the agency land deal as described in his oral statement of 7 July, Official Report, column 465; whether his Department's secondee from the National Audit Office Wales regional office will continue with the inquiry team; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning (a) the completion of the KPMG Peat Marwick section of the investigation into the Cynon valley land deal, (b) the commencement of subsequent phases of the investigation and (c) the procedures to be used to select the company to be used to complete the investigation;

(4) on what date the secondment of the secondee from the National Audit Office Wales regional office to his Department commenced; for how long is the period of her secondment; and if he will specify what the duties of the secondee are in relation to (a) the investigation into the Welsh Development Agency land assembly deal for the Tesco supermarket in the Cynon valley and (b) other matters contained in the job description pertaining to her secondment.

Mr. Redwood

In March this year, I asked for this and other matters concerning the agency's involvement at Aberdare to be investigated. The arrangements for handling the investigation, are a matter for the agency.

There is currently no secondment from the National Audit Office to my Department. An internal auditor from my Department was seconded to KPMG Peat Marwick to assist with the investigation and she is now assisting Grant Thornton who have been appointed to continue and complete the work.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for strengthening the guidelines issued to the Welsh Development Agency debarring the agency from any act of discrimination in favour of one private company over another; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood

The management statement issued to the agency requires the agency to act in a way which promotes high standards of probity, including the promotion of regularity, propriety and value for money. I see no need for further guidance.