I'm very grateful for this opportunity to say a few words in tribute to Huw Vaughan Thomas on his retirement as the Auditor General for Wales. I have served on the Public Accounts Committee for the whole time since Huw's appointment in October 2010. In that time, I have been impressed by his commitment to the role, his pursuit of excellence and his dedication to his duties. His experience, gained us a variety of Government roles in a number of distinguished public appointments and in the private sector, made him uniquely placed to be Auditor General for Wales.

In his time, he has never shied away from the challenge of helping organisations become more efficient and effective in delivering public services. These include the Welsh Government. His reports into issues such as the Welsh Government's relationship with Pinewood and its initial funding of the Circuit of Wales project, which my colleague Nick Ramsay has already mentioned, highlighted serious deficiencies in administration and accountability. If properly addressed, these reports will have lasting beneficial effects on achieving value for money. I believe Huw Thomas's term as auditor general will be defined by the legacy he has left behind and its impact on the public sector. He has raised the audit bar—the quality bar—to such a high level that it will be a tough act to follow. Thank you, Huw. You have done a wonderful job for the last eight years for this nation. All that remains is to wish Huw a long and happy retirement, and to welcome Adrian Crompton to this important and challenging role, to follow in his footsteps. Thank you.