HC Deb 25 January 1983 vol 35 cc401-2W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out in the Official Report the arrangements he proposes for the funding and auditing of the Local Government Audit Commission.

Mr. King

[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1983, c. 191]: The commission will be required to break even taking one year with another. Its main source of income will be audit fees and fees for work carried out under section 29 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982. The commission will have power to borrow.

Under section 33 of the 1982 Act, the commission's expenses between the first and second appointed days will be met by the Secretary of State, who also has power to make the commission grants for working capital in the two years after the second appointed day.

The Comptroller and Auditor General will audit the commission's accounts.

Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the chairman and members and controller, respectively, of the Local Government Audit Commission will be paid; what he estimates the cost of the commission in a full year to be; and how soon he expects this expenditure to be recouped in increased local government efficiency.

Mr. King

[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1983, c. 191]: The information on pay is as follows:

  • Chairman: £7,550 pa on basis of one day a week.
  • Members: £1,350 pa on basis of one day a month.
  • Controller: £60,000 pa full time to cover salary, pension arrangements and any other benefits.

Estimates of the commission's costs in a full year are not yet available. I expect it to make a most valuable

Extra 1982–83 Housing Investment Programme Allocations
Allocation (£'s) Purpose
Region 1—Northern
Hartlepool 676,000 Capitalised repairs and other schemes
Langbaurgh 873,000 Warden systems and other schemes
Middlesborough 629,000 Capitalised repairs and other schemes
Public sector improvements and other schemes
Chester-le-Street 470,000 Capitalised repairs and other schemes
Darlington 333,000 New build and other schemes
Derwentside up to 1,950,000 Capitalised repairs and other schemes
Durham 470,000 Modernisation and other schemes

contribution towards helping local government improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of its £23,000 million expenditure.