Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of the potential level of saving relating to non-departmental public bodies under a Welsh Assembly that could not be achieved under present arrangements; [9903]
(2) if he will invite the National Audit Office to validate estimates of savings that can be made in non-departmental public bodies and public services by the Welsh Assembly. [9880]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesOur plans for a Welsh Assembly provide both for the rationalisation of non-departmental public bodies in Wales before it is established and the power for the Assembly to continue this process afterwards. I expect that both elements will yield long-term savings in the form of economies of scale, reduced duplication of effort and lower administration costs. However, it is impossible at this early stage to provide a quantified estimate of such savings, particularly as future decisions will be in the hands of the Assembly itself. Our proposals are in line with the election manifesto.
Mr. WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 23 July,Official Report, columns 638–39, if he will ask the National Audit Office to review the estimates and the assumptions used to make them relating to the establishment and running costs of a Welsh assembly. [11164]
§ Mr. DaviesNo. As I said in my answer of 23 July to my right hon. Friend, the figures I published are estimates of what the Assembly itself might decide to spend, not Government expenditure plans, and I have clearly set out the assumptions used. It would not be appropriate to ask the National Audit Office to investigate such matters.