34 Reports on impact of statutory provisions etc.E+W
(1)In addition to the studies referred to in section 33(1), the Commission shall undertake or promote studies designed to enable it to prepare reports as to the impact—
(a)of the operation of any particular statutory provision or provisions, or
(b)of any directions or guidance given by a Minister of the Crown (whether pursuant to any such provision or otherwise),
on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority services [F1by bodies subject to audit and local government bodies in Wales] and of other services provided by bodies subject to audit other than health service bodies [F2and by local government bodies in Wales], or on the financial management of [F3bodies subject to audit and local government bodies in Wales].
(2)The Commission shall publish or otherwise make available its report of the results of any study under this section, and shall send a copy of any such report to the Comptroller and Auditor General.
(3)Where the Comptroller and Auditor General has received a copy of any such report he may, subject to subsection (4), require the Commission to provide him with any information obtained by it in connection with the preparation of the report, and for that purpose the Commission shall permit any person authorised by him to inspect and make copies of any documents containing such information.
(4)No information shall be required by the Comptroller and Auditor General under this section in respect of any particular body.
(5)The Comptroller and Auditor General shall from time to time lay before the House of Commons a report of any matters which, in his opinion, arise out of studies of the Commission under this section and ought to be drawn to the attention of that House.
(6)Before undertaking or promoting any study under this section the Commission shall consult—
(a)the Comptroller and Auditor General;
[F4(b)the Secretary of State;]
[F5(bza)in the case of a study which has a connection with anything which may be inspected under Chapter 4 of Part 8 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills;]
[F6(ba)in the case of a study which has a connection with adult social services (within the meaning of Part 1 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008), the Care Quality Commission;]
(bb)in the case of a study which has a connection with any Welsh local authority social service (within the meaning of [F7Part 2 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003]), the National Assembly for Wales;
(c)such associations of local authorities or other bodies subject to audit as appear to it to be concerned; F8...
(d)such associations of employees as appear to it to be appropriate.
[F9(da)in the case of a study relating to a local government body in Wales, also consult [F10the Welsh Ministers and] the Auditor General for Wales and take account of any relevant work done or being done by the Auditor General for Wales.]
[F11(6A)The Commission may undertake or promote studies under this section relating to a local government body in Wales only if the Commission considers it necessary or desirable to do so for the purposes of any of these—
(a)a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority services throughout England and Wales by all local government bodies or a description of local government body;
(b)a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of other services throughout England and Wales by all local government bodies or a description of local government body;
(c)a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on the financial management throughout England and Wales of all local government bodies or a description of local government body.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 34(1) inserted (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), para. 24(2)(a), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1); S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1
F2Words in s. 34(1) inserted (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), para. 24(2)(b), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1); S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1
F3Words in s. 34(1) substituted (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), para. 24(2)(c), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1); S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1
F4S. 34(6)(b) substituted (31.1.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 153(3)(a), 245(5); S.I. 2008/172, art. 2(1)(c)
F5S. 34(6)(bza) inserted (1.4.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(3), Sch. 14 para. 28; S.I. 2007/935, art. 5(gg)
F6S. 34(6)(ba) substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), s. 170(3)(4), Sch. 5 para. 67(2); S.I. 2009/462, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 35(x)
F7Words in s. 34(6)(bb) substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care Act 2008 (c. 14), s. 170(3)(4), Sch. 5 para. 67(3); S.I. 2009/462, art. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 35(x)
F8Word in s. 34(6) repealed (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1)(3), Sch. 4; S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1
F9S. 34(6)(da) inserted (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1)(3); S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1
F10Words in s. 34(6)(da) inserted (31.1.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 153(3)(b), 245(5); S.I. 2008/172, art. 2(1)(c)
F11S. 34(6A) inserted (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), s. 73, Sch. 2 para. 24(1)(4); S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1