HC Deb 23 April 1990 vol 171 cc61-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to require auditors to adopt an active approach to satisfy themselves regarding the going concern assumption specified in paragraph 10 of schedule 4 of the Companies Act 1985.

Mr. Redwood

No. Auditing guidelines already advise auditors of the need, when planning, performing and evaluating the results of their audit procedures, to be satisfied that the going concern basis of the accounts is appropriate.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will appoint an independent committee of inquiry to examine the possibility of requiring all large companies to have an annual social audit.

Mr. Redwood

No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 3 April at column507.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will amend the Partnerships Acts to require all firms authorised to act as auditors to file annual reports and accounts.

Mr. Redwood

No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 21 February at column781.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to require company auditors to state in their audit report the matters for which they claim not to be responsible.

Mr. Redwood

No. I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to his question on 5 April at column803.