§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on audits in the national health service in each of the last three years; and what breakdown of that expenditure is available.
§ Mr. SackvilleTotal expenditure for the external audits recorded in the individual accounts of national health service bodies was approximately:
£ million 1991–92 18.3 1992–93 30.1 Notes
1. These figures may significantly overstate the true increase between the two financial years because of variations in the accounting treatment of audit services.
2. A meaningful national total cannot be derived for 1990–91.
3. The totals quoted do not include external audit expenditure for Special Trustees, the Special Hospitals Service Authority, or the Mental Health Act Commission.
4. Figures for the Prescription Pricing Authority were not separately identifiable in 1991–92.