§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the operation of the Local Government Act 1933 so as to remove or limit the power of the district auditor to surcharge councillors for accounting periods after 31st March 1974.
§ Mr. CroslandFor accounting periods after 31st March 1974 the powers of district auditors are contained in the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 1972; I have no plans to amend these provisions. The district auditor remains under a duty to certify any loss or deficiency caused by the wilful misconduct of any person, and also any sum which has not been brought to account. Disallowance and orders for repayment on other grounds are now matters for the courts.