The Richard Commission into the Welsh assembly's powers and electoral arrangements cost over £1 million, it has been revealed.

The final bill includes spending on accommodation, printing costs, staff salaries and the hiring of venues.

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, Nick Bourne, said the money "seems to have been spent in vain" given Labour splits over the future of the assembly.

"The Richard Commission report is a serious document that requires careful consideration," he said.

"People will question the worth of establishing the Commission in the first place given that Rhodri Morgan now wants to ignore its findings.

"We have begun a major consultation exercise involving all members of the Welsh Conservative Party which we intend to conduct in an open and mature manner.

"While there are differences of opinion towards the future of the National Assembly within the party, Welsh Conservatives are determined to ensure the institution works to the best of its ability and delivers for the people of Wales."

Bourne said the Labour Party was "tearing itself apart over the Commission's findings".

"They have run the assembly for the last year with a staggering degree of arrogance and complacency, cutting the number of meetings, tabling debates on seating arrangements and yet failing to tackle the crisis in our public services," he added.