Ron Davies: Contest between cities

Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies had opened up the issue of locating the assembly as a contest between Swansea and Cardiff.

The report - which did not directly criticise Mr Davies - said the decision was "reprehensible".

Mr Davies said he stood by the decision and said there would have been "a hue and cry" if Cardiff had been given the green light without any consultation.

Swansea Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black said Mr Davies should be called to explain the "sham competition". He added that Swansea's bid had offered the "best value for money" to taxpayers.

The spiralling costs and management of the assembly scheme are a major concern held by members.

The annual bill for running the "temporary" headquarters at Crickhowell House has risen sharply.

Projected costs for the proposed glass chamber have also risen to an estimated �27m.

Swansea council deputy leader Lawrence Bailey said the report highlighted what was already known from the Auditor General's conclusions.

Cardiff MP Jon Owen Jones said the affair was dwarfed by the current debacle over the new Wembley Stadium project - and the huge costs of Scotland's own new parliament building.

Two years after the assembly came into being, the foundations of the new chamber are now being laid.

Preparatory work on the new building has begun

In 1998, Swansea was invited by Mr Davies to compete in the race to house the assembly.

But the report concludes that this was effectively a "one horse race".

The bidding process created unnecessary division between Swansea and Cardiff.

The capital won with Mr Davies sealing a deal to buy the bay site for �1 from Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.

The Audit Committee is now calling for far tighter controls over the way the new building is managed so that history does not repeat itself.

Rhodri Morgan: Called in plans

Last June, Assembly Members voted in support of Sir Richard Rogers's design for a new �27m state-of-the-art Welsh Assembly debating chamber.

Members voted against an option, backed by the Assembly's minority Labour administration, for an extension to their existing temporary headquarters in Cardiff Bay.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan - who preferred the cheaper option of an extension - inherited the Rogers plan from his predecessor Alun Michael.

Mr Morgan put it on hold while he considered whether it was good value for money.

But the idea of an extension - criticised as a "ridiculous carbuncle" - was rejected in a vote by AMs.