Devolution and the enhancement of scrutiny: A case study of the committees of the National Assembly for Wales

This article addresses committee scrutiny undertaken at the National Assembly for Wales during the third assembly (2007–2011). The analysis is addressed through a scrutiny framework that considers the substantive issues in terms of three overarching elements – selection, access to information and assistance, and evaluation. The framework is developed through scholarship about the UK House of Commons as well as a wide range of other parliaments and assemblies. This analysis is also used to identify features facilitating effectiveness and specify seven hypotheses concerning explanations for scrutiny characteristics. The analysis is then applied to the Welsh case study, which results from a substantive series of interviews with Assembly Members, witnesses and officials, as well as significant documentary analysis.