§ Mr. Denis Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will be permitting any local authorities to change their auditors before the new Audit Commission is set up; and how many local authorities have approached him with requests to change from private audit to district audit and from district audit to private audit since the beginning of 1982.
§ Mr. HeseltineSince the beginning of 1982 I have received no applications from local authorities to change from private audit to district audit. During the same period I have received eight applications to change from district audit to private audit. Three of these have been approved: the other five are still under consideration. Any further applications I receive will be considered in accordance with sections 154 and 164 of the Local Government Act 1972.