HC Deb 17 November 1986 vol 105 cc304-5
37. Mr. Latham

asked the right hon. Member for Taunton, answering in respect of the Public Accounts Commission, whether he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of the new headquarters of the National Audit Office; and what was the budget for this expenditure appoved by the Public Accounts Commission.

Sir Edward du Cann

The Commission has approved the sum of £24.6 million for the purchase and refurbishment of the new National Audit Office headquarters. Although some accounts have still to be settled, the Comptroller and Auditor General expects to contain final expenditure within that budget.

Mr. Latham

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that, above all, the Comptroller and Auditor General, as Parliament's watchdog on spending, and a very good one at that, must keep to his own budget to set a good example to other Government Departments?

Sir Edward du Cann

I agree with what my hon. Friend has said. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee he will undoubtedly have observed that the proposal for a new headquarters for the National Audit Office is something about which the Commission felt strongly. In the event, we have been able to provide it at a rental significantly less than the norm for the area—only 37 per cent. of the normal rent for the area. I am satisfied that that represents good value for money. I am also satisfied, and so is the Commission, that the work of the National Audit Office henceforward is likely to be more efficient than in the past, because we have brought together no fewer than 30 offices into a single location. That must make for effectiveness.

Mr. Nellist

In the work of the Public Accounts Commission and the National Audit Office on Government spending, is any regard given to the work load of Departments and, in particular, of the Ministers who control the Departments? For example, has an analysis been done of the hours worked each week by the Minister occupying the position of the Duchy of Lancaster, since he seems to have so much time on his hands that, instead of controlling the work of that Department, he spends the majority of his time trying to gag the BBC?

Sir Edward du Cann

That is more a matter for the Public Accounts Committee, if not the Prime Minister, than for me. However, in general, the hon. Gentleman has made a significant point. It struck me, as it must have struck many right hon. and hon. Members over a long period of time, that we impose such a heavy burden of day-to-day work on Ministers that it is difficult for them to attend to the strategic matters to which they should give a higher proportion of their attention.