§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what was the total sum paid by the National Audit Office to outside auditors involved in producing the report on the sale of Austin Rover.
§ Sir Peter HordernUnder the National Audit Act 1983 the operations of the National Audit Office are entirely a matter for the C. and A. G. The Commission does not have any powers in this respect. However I understand that, for the purposes of its examination of the Rover Group sale, the National Audit Office did not use outside auditors. As indicated in paragraph 1.12 of the C. and A. G.'s report, it obtained specialist advice on taxation matters from chartered accountants (Touche Ross) and on the value of surplus sites from chartered surveyors (G. L. Hearn and Partners). It also sought comments on the draft report from an expert on the motor industry (Professor Garel Rhys of the University of Wales).