HC Deb 10 July 1992 vol 211 cc349-50W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by her Department; which of these are audited by the National Audit Office; which firms of private accountants audits each of the others; by what method of tendering contracts to such firms are awarded; and for what duration.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The non-departmental bodies currently sponsored by the Department of Employment are set out in the tables, with the information requested on their audit arrangements.

Executive Bodies

The following executive bodies are audited by the National Audit Office:

  • Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
  • Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members.
  • Equal Opportunities Commission.
  • Wages councils.
  • Health and Safety Commission.
  • Health and Safety Executive.

The following executive bodies are audited by private accountants:

National Council for Vocational Qualifications.

Currently audited by Coopers and Lybrand, Deloitte. The appointment is made by the NCVQ Council which reviews the contract annually. Renewal is not subject to formal competitive tendering.

Remploy Limited.

Currently audited by KPMG Peat, Marwick McLintock. Competitive tendering is used to appoint the auditors and the contract is normally for a duration of five years.

Industry Training Boards.

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board and the Road Transport Industry Training Board arc both currently audited by Touche Ross and Co. The Construction Industry Training Board is currently audited by BDO Binder Hamlyn. These are long-standing arrangements, not subject to competitive tendering.

Advisory Bodies and Tribunals etc.

Any costs incurred by the following non-executive bodies are included in departmental expenditure which is audited by the National Audit Office.

  • Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.
  • National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities.
  • National Training Task Force.
  • Race Relations Employment Advisory Group.
  • Women's National Commission.
  • Committees for the Employment of People with Disabilities.
  • Employment and Training Advisory Committee for the Resettlement of Ex-Regulars (ETAC).
  • Sheltered Employment Consultative Group.
  • Central Arbitration Committee.
  • Employment Appeal Tribunal.
  • Industrial tribunals.