§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the relationship between the Audit Commission and his Department, and the other Departments which sponsor the Commission's work.
§ Mr. GummerThe Department of the Environment, the Welsh Office and the Department of Health sponsor the Audit Commission. A joint framework document—"Accounting for Independent Audit"—which sets out the relationships between the Audit Commission and its sponsors, and between the sponsor Departments themselves, has been published today. Copies of the document have been placed in the Library.