HC Deb 20 December 1989 vol 164 cc249-50W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the accountancy firm advising the Government on the student loan scheme has at any time since June 1979 been(a) criticised by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors or (b) criticised by any disciplinary committee of the accountancy profession for lacking in professional conduct, efficiency or competence.

Mr. Jackson

The accountancy firm advising the CLSB and, subsequently, the Student Loans Company Limited was criticised by the Department of Trade and Industry inspectors in 1982 and 1983 and under the profession's disciplinary scheme in 1983. The accountancy firm advising the Government has not been criticised by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors; a predecessor firm to the one advising the Government was criticised in 1983 under the accountancy profession's joint disciplinary scheme.