The First Minister
I refer the Member to the answers that I gave in relation to question 1.
Janet Finch-Saunders
First Minister, ahead of the publication of this report, and following many pre-emptive statements by yourself, there are predictions now of some 15,000 front line staff that are now in limbo, waiting for news on what reorganisation will mean for them. Furthermore, the estimated costs of reorganisation have been somewhat wide ranging, from £500 million by senior figures in Welsh Labour to £200 million from the Welsh Local Government Association, to £100 million by the commission itself. This is a staggering gulf in estimates, First Minister. Now, I know the report was only released yesterday.
First Minister, what considerations have you given to showing strong leadership by undertaking a full cost-benefit analysis in order to obtain a definitive cost to the taxpayers of reorganisation and to alleviate the concerns of our front-line staff?
The First Minister
I accept the costings of the Williams commission of £100 million. I see no need to conduct another exercise in terms of a cost-benefit analysis. I do intend that this should move forward as quickly as possible. I urge all those in the Chamber, the leaders, to consult their parties. I look forward, of course, to looking to gain as much cross-party support as possible. I will not, as her leader said in his press conference this morning, be in a position where the ball is in my lap and I should not therefore sit on it. I am not a gymnast. [Laughter.] I intend to take this forward as quickly as possible and I look forward to hearing the views of other parties.
