§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many internal auditors are employed in his Department and at what cost; how many internal audit reports were produced in 1989; how many of these were drawn to the attention of a Minister in his Department; and what internal audit work is subcontracted to private firms and at what cost.
§ Mrs. RumboldThere are at present 14 internal auditors in the Department. The total staffing cost of the Department's internal audit division, including travel and subsistence, training and the cost of support staff, is estimated at £405,000 in the present financial year. In addition, £12,000 has been spent in the present year on bought-in support from private firms to achieve economic and effective audit coverage, particularly in computer areas. The audit plan for 1989–90 covers 60 discrete audit areas; reports are issued on each assignment. Two of the reports have been drawn to the attention of Ministers.