HC Deb 26 January 1995 vol 253 cc379-80W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if the Church Commissioners will consider publishing quarterly financial statements in accordance with the "Bulletin Review of Interim Financial Information" issued by the Auditing Practices Board.

Mr. Alison

All listed companies, in which the public may buy or sell shares, are required by the council of the stock exchange to publish interim financial information every six months. The purpose of the APB bulletin is to provide auditors with guidance as to the methodology and scope of audit work in relation to such six monthly information. It contains no reference to, or definition of, quarterly financial statements.

The commissioners are an exempt charity and do not believe that the publication of quarterly audited information at a considerable cost would be either justifiable or appropriate.