HC Deb 26 October 1967 vol 751 cc540-2W
Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) how many extraordinary district audits he has commissioned or approved into local authority direct labour building departments in each of the years 1965 and 1966; what is the equivalent figure for 1967; and whether he will list the local authorities concerned;

(2) in how many of the special audits which he has commissioned or approved since 1965 in local authority direct labour building departments the district auditor has now reported to him; and in how many cases he still awaits an interim or final report.

Mr. MacColl

No extraordinary audits of the account of local authority building departments were authorised in 1965 or 1966. During 1967 such audits were authorised in respect of Camden London Borough and Southwark London Borough.

The district auditor makes his report to the local authority and not to my right hon. Friend. I understand that an interim report has already been made to the Camden Borough Council and that one will be made to the Southwark Borough Council very shortly. Final reports are not expected for some time.

Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the action he has taken in the light of extraordinary reports of district auditors into local authority direct labour building departments, giving the information for each local authority separately.

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend has received only an interim report dated 24th August and relating to the direct labour department of the London Borough of Camden. The Council are already taking action on the lines suggested by the District Auditor and I am keeping in touch with the situation.

Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many surveys by the National Building Agency have been commissioned by local authorities into their direct labour building departments since 1965; by which local authorities; and in how many cases he advised the local authority concerned to consult the National Building Agency.

Mr. MacColl

Since 1st January, 1965, 19 authorities, on their own initiative, have sought the advice of the Agency in matters involving their direct labour organisations. Of these the following eight specifically consulted the Agency about the organisation and management of their direct labour organisation either in connection with new building or with maintenance:

  • Basildon U.D.C.
  • Camden L.B.C.
  • Felling U.D.C.
  • Greenwich L.B.C.
  • Manchester C.B.C.
  • Salford C.B.C.
  • Wandsworth L.B.C.
  • Wigan C.B.C.

In addition, with the agreement of the London Borough of Southwark, my right hon. Friend sought advice from the Agency on whether a particular scheme should be carried out by the Borough's direct labour organisation.

Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has taken in the light of each report of the National Building Agency on the efficiency of a local authority direct labour building department since 1965.

Mr. MacColl

These reports were commissioned by the councils concerned who have taken or are taking appropriate action. The Salford Council consulted my right hon. Friend about the Agency's report and about other reports they had commissioned on their direct labour building department, and accepted his suggestion that they should for a time reduce the amount of new construction work undertaken by the department.

Mr. Channon

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he has had with representatives of local authorities regarding the audit of direct labour building departments; and whether he will make a statement on those discussions.

Mr. MacColl

There have been no discussions on the audit of building departments, but discussions are still in progress on the study carried out by the District Auditors' Society of financial control in such departments.