§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Treasury Minute on the first to eleventh reports from the Committee of Public Accounts 1992–93, paragraph 161, what proposals he has to change the auditing arrangements of the Laganside corporation.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe audit arrangements for Langanside corporation are laid down in the Laganside Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. The legislation requires that the corporation's accounts be audited by an auditor to be appointed annually by the Department of the Environment. This arrangement has the approval of the Northern Ireland Audit Office which has the right under articles 8 and 9 of the Audit (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 to inspect the records of the corporation to ensure that the corporation is using its resources economically, efficiently and effectively.
In view of the Treasury minute on the first to eleventh reports from the Committee of Public Accounts 1992–93, paragraph 161, the Department will now take steps to provide the Audit Office with wider access to the books and records of Laganside corporation. This will be done through the financial memorandum which regulates the financial arrangements between the corporation and the Department.