§ Q8. Mr. Eggarasked the Prime Minister whether she will extend the role of value for money audits within the public sector.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. and learned Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has tabled new clauses to the Parliamentary Control of Expenditure (Reform) Bill, which provide for value for money audits in nationalised industries.
§ Mr. EggarGiven the massive subsidy from the taxpayer to the nationalised industries, is it not right that both the Government and the country should be certain that the maximum care is being taken about the way in which that money is spent? Is it not vital that the House should ensure that the financial auditors of the nationalised industries are able to carry out value for money audits?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is important that value for money audits should be carried out. It is probably better that they should be carried out by the nationalised industries' own auditors, who are very well equipped to do them. It would not help anyone—and least of all the overheads—if those industries were subject to several different audits by several different people. I believe that the amendments that have been tabled will meet my hon. Friend's concern and that of most right hon. and hon. Members.