§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years district auditors have imposed a surcharge on the members of local authorities; and if he will now seek to abolish this power.
§ Mr. MacCollThe following table shows the number of surcharges imposed by district auditors on members of local authorities during each of the last 10 years.
Number of cases 1957 … … … … 1 1958 … … … … 1 1959 … … … … 6 1960 … … … … 2 1961 … … … … 4 1962 … … … … 2 1963 … … … … 6 1964 … … … … 4 1965 … … … … 3 1966 … … … … 1 30 Of the total of 30 surcharges, 23 were in respect of allowances claimed for travelling and financial loss.
As regards the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to my replies 223W to the hon. Member's earlier Questions relating to recommendations of the Maud Committee.
§ Mr. John Leeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the value of moneys recovered by local authorities in England and Wales during 1966 as a result of the activity of district auditors; and how much of the money so recovered was recovered from members of local authorities.
§ Mr. MacCollFigures are not available for 1966, but during the financial year ended 31st March, 1966 the value of monies actually recovered by local authorities in England and Wales as a result of the activities of district auditors was £166,111. Of this £64 was recovered from members by way of surcharge.
In addition local authorities benefited substantially as the result of suggestions made by district auditors which led to increases in income or reductions in costs.