§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by his Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.
§ Mr. CurryThe non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department are listed in the table. The National Audit Office audits the royal botanic gardens, Kew, in accordance with paragraph 39(6) of schedule 1 to the National Heritage Act 1983. The firms of private accountants who audit the other non-departmental public bodies which are subject to audit are shown next to them.
Non-departmental public body Audited by Agricultural Training Board Touche Ross Apple and Pear Research Council Day, Smith & Hunter Food from Britain Touche Ross Home Grown Cereals Authority KPMG Peat Marwick Horticultural Development Council Barter & Durgan Horticultural Research International Robson Rhodes Meat and Livestock Commission Coopers & Lybrand Sea Fish Industry Authority Coopers & Lybrand Wine Standards Board of the Vinters' Company Coulthards Mackenzie I understand that the auditors were appointed after competitive tendering. The duration of the contract is not normally stated in the contract, but performance is monitored annually and a formal review is undertaken within six years.