Detailed Commentary on Sections in Part 5 Expenditure Section 140: Examinations into Assembly Commission’s use of resources
503.This section gives the AGW power to carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Assembly Commission has used its resources in discharging its functions. These are commonly known as “value for money”, or “VFM” examinations. In doing so, the AGW is not entitled to question the merits of the policy objectives being pursued by the Assembly Commission (for example, a policy concerning recruitment or employment of staff) (subsection (2)).
504.Before carrying out any such examinations, the AGW must take into account the views of the Audit Committee of the Assembly as to what examinations the AGW should carry out under this provision (subsection (3)). The AGW may, but does not have to, lay a report of the results of any such examination before the Assembly (subsection (4)). The AGW does, however, have to do so where the AGW considers that it is in the public interest so to do (Schedule 8, paragraph 19).