§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the accountancy firms which act as auditors to public bodies sponsored by his Department.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe following accountancy firms audit nationalised industries and executive non-departmental public bodies for which my Department is responsible:
Firm Public body BDO Binder Hamlyn British Hallmarking Council Coopers and Lybrand National Consumers Council Gas Consumers Council Ernst and Young English Industrial Estates Corporation National Film Development Fund Post Office (and Girobank) Grant Thornton Hearing Aid Council Peat Marwick McLintock British Technology Group (NRDC, NEB) Price Waterhouse British Shipbuilders Touche Ross and Company Policyholders' Protestion Board
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of Britain's top 100 companies are audited by accountancy firms criticised by his Department's inspectors.
§ Mr. RedwoodThis information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.