Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee ensures that proper and thorough scrutiny is given to Welsh Government expenditure, and that all public bodies in Wales operate to the highest possible standards in the management of their financial affairs. It does this so that the people of Wales can be confident that their money is being spent wisely and well.

The role of the Public Accounts Committee is to examine the implementation of Welsh Government policy and the activities of public bodies.  The Committee examines reports prepared by the Auditor General for Wales on the accounts of the Welsh Government and other public bodies, and on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which resources are employed in the discharge  of public functions. The Committee makes specific inquiries into issues of interest or concern arising from these reports. In doing so it may hear evidence from the responsible accounting officers and other civil servants and call for relevant papers. It then reports and makes recommendations on its findings. In conducting its inquiries, the Committee cannot question the merits of any policy objectives of the Welsh Government or other body under review.

The National Assembly’s Standing Order 13 provides full details of the procedures and operation of the Committee.