§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total of legal costs incurred by district auditors over the last 10 years and the total costs of district auditors other than legal costs in identifying and certifying and dealing with losses.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Secretary of State for the Environment is no longer responsible for local authority audit. Responsibility for this was transferred to the Audit Commission in 1983. The information requested, so far as it relates to the period prior to 1 April 1983, is not available except at disproportionate expense. As to the period after the date of handover, I can only suggest that the hon. Member contacts the Audit Commission. The commission's address is: 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PW.
§ Mr. John Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, since 1972, how many certificates of surcharge have been issued against local councillors by the District Audit Service; what is the total of the losses certified by district auditors over that period; how much of such losses has been recovered from surcharged councillors; and to what account surcharged receipts have been paid.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Secretary of State for the Environment is no longer responsible for local authority audit. Responsibility for this was transferred to the Audit Commission in 1983. Between 1 January 1972 and 31 March 1983, 37 certificates of loss were issued against council members by the district audit service. The total value of the certificates was £123,317. As to the number issued after 1 April 1983, the hon. Member may care to contact the Audit Commission. The commission's address is: 1 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PW.
464WAny losses recovered are payable to the local authority concerned. The other information requested is therefore not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.