§ 31. Mr. FLEMINGasked the Postmaster-General whether the annual report of the British Broadcasting Corporation is submitted to him for audit and approval before publication?
§ Sir K. WOODThe annual report of the British Broadcasting Corporation, together with a statement of accounts certified by the Corporation's auditors, is submitted to me before publication in accordance with the terms of the Royal Charter of Incorporation, which also provides that the Corporation's auditors shall be a firm of chartered accountants approved by the Postmaster-General for the time being.
§ Mr. FLEMINGIs my right hon. Friend in possession of greater details of the expenditure than are contained in that report?
§ Sir K. WOODI must have notice of that question. I will communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTIs it not the case that under Clause 16 (4) of the Charter the Postmaster-General and all other persons nominated by him are given full opportunity to examine the accounts of the Corporation, which must furnish him with all the information and documents that he may require with regard to receipts and expenditure? Has that power been exercised by my right hon. Friend?
§ Sir K. WOODMy hon. and learned Friend had better give me notice of that question.