§ Dame Jill KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the tendering procedures adopted by the city of Birmingham in appointing its bankers.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 13 January 1992]: The tendering procedure adopted by an authority in appointing its bankers is a matter for it and for its auditor. Questions as to compliance with such procedures, which would be contained in the authority's standing orders and financial regulations, are for the authority's monitoring officer, appointed under section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and may be referred to the authority's auditor. Both the monitoring officer and the auditor have statutory responsibilities in relation to the legality and propriety of an authority's decisions.