§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) was the gross public spending for each year since 1990–91, in 1995–96 prices and (b) is the projected expenditure for each year to 1997–98, in 1995–96 prices, of local enterprise companies. [25976]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 22 April 1996]The expenditure of local enterprise companies is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) minutes of meetings, (d) agendas of meetings and (e) registers of members' interests are published by local enterprise companies; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [25968]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 22 April 1996]Local enterprise companies are private companies limited by guarantee that operate under contract to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The information requested relates to the operational activities of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and I have asked the chairmen of these organisations to write to the hon. Member.
§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if local enterprise companies are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [25973]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 22 April 1996]Local enterprise companies are private companies limited by guarantee operating under contract to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. They are not therefore subject to the Parliamentary Commissioner, the124W Accounts Commission—the Scottish equivalent of the Audit Commission—or statutory provisions on open government.
Local enterprise company accounts are audited by commercial auditors. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise now prepare group accounts which consolidate their results with those of the local enterprise companies. The National Audit Office, as the statutory auditors of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and therefore principal auditors of the group accounts, may require to scrutinise local enterprise company accounts. Local enterprise companies may also be subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office as part of value-for-money examinations of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Under the terms of their operating contracts, performance indicators are set for local enterprise companies by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its local enterprise companies have gained the charter mark award and, under the terms of their operating contracts, local enterprise companies in the Scottish Enterprise area are expected to apply for charter mark status.