HC Deb 07 March 1990 vol 168 cc626-7W
Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 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.

Mr. Wakeham

There are 10 internal auditors in the Department of Energy, including the head of internal audit. The total cost of the unit is £185,000 per annum. Fifteen reports were produced in 1989, none of which was brought directly to the attention of a Minister. No internal audit work is contracted to private firms; it is a completely internal professional service.