HC Deb 19 June 1973 vol 858 cc466-7
Mr. Robert Hughes

I beg to move Amendment No. 91, in page 52, line 5, after 'Commission', insert 'and local authorities'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this amendment we can also discuss Amendment No. 376, in page 52, line 5, leave out 'them' and insert 'the Commission'.

Mr. Hughes

This clause sets up the Commission for Local Authority Accounts. It is interesting to note that on the previous page of the Bill—page 51—in subsection (1) it is stated that members of the commission shall be: appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with such associations of local authorities as appear to him to be concerned and with such other organisations or persons as he may think appropriate". It is the duty of the commission to advise on local authority audit practices rather than carry out the audit itself. The commission advises as to methods, styles and changes in the practice of local authority account-keeping, especially after this vast reorganisation has taken place. It is a fairly minor but important courtesy that if one consults local authorities regarding membership of the commission before members are appointed one should at least consult them regarding directions of a general character in the discharge of their functions.

If I understand the clause correctly, the commission will investigate, or be asked by the Secretary of State to investigate, a practice—not a malpractice—in the keeping of accounts. The relevant local authority should be consulted. This view has been represented to me by one local authority, which considered that this was something it would like to have.

Amendment No. 376 is a drafting amendment, consequential upon Amendment No. 91. I hope that the Under-Secretary will feel flexible at this early hour of our proceedings and accept the amendments.

Mr. Younger

We discussed this question in Committee, when I told the hon. Gentleman that I was sympathetic to his point of view. I had hoped to be able to bring forward a Government amended at this stage to put the matter right, but I am afraid that because extensive consultations were necessary it was not possible to do it in time.

I can now say that I agree that this is a good amendment in principle. The wording would need to be considerably different, however, and I have a more or less tentative wording drawn up. I shall ask my noble Friend to introduce such an amendment in another place. I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising the matter.

Mr. Hughes

I thank the Under-Secretary for his response and for his promise to deal with this matter in another place. In view of what he has said, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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