§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken by the district auditor to recover from former members of Clay Cross Council the surcharge imposed on them on 17th January 1973; and what instructions he has issued to the district auditor on this matter.
§ Mr. CroslandDistrict auditors are independent officers who are not subject to my instruction in the performance of their statutory duties. I understand, however, that a judgment order has been obtained for the amount of the surcharge together with interest and costs; in the absence of agreement, the rate of interest will need to be determined by the court. Thereafter the method of recovery will be for the district auditor to decide.