HL Deb 17 November 2004 vol 666 cc160-1WA
Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What mechanism exists to monitor the efficiency of services in each of the Northern Ireland departments. [HL4692]

Baroness Amos

Accounting officers within each Northern Ireland department are personally responsible for prudent and economical administration; for the avoidance of waste and extravagance; and for the efficient use of all available resources.

The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland may carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which a department has used its resources. An accounting officer may be required to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to give evidence on reports arising from those examinations.