HC Deb 26 March 1986 vol 94 cc525-6W
Dr. Michael Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will lay the latest accounts for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive before Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

The accounts of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for 1984–85 together with the reports of the Local Government Auditor and of the Comptroller and Auditor-General thereon were laid today (Cmnd. 9757). The matters raised have been discussed between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the Housing Executive and the agreed follow-up action will be monitored. On this occasion the report is generally encouraging, but it also identifies some weaknesses in systems both in housing benefit administration and contracts procedures.

I have arranged for copies of a statement by the Housing Executive in response to the Local Government Auditor's report to be placed in the Library of the House.