Audit Letters (Hansard, 4 March 1996)

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies receive copies of the audit letter issued to NHS trusts by the Audit Commission. [17928]

§ Mr. Horam
Management letters from statutory auditors are addressed to the national health service trust concerned. They are copied to the appropriate regional health authority.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue instructions to NHS trusts to provide copies of audit letters issued to NHS trusts to(a) constituency hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) the local press who request them. [18037]

§ Mr. Horam
National health service trusts may make this information available on request, but these matters are primarily between the appointed auditor and the trust concerned.

§ Mr. Redmond
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require the auditors of NHS trusts to provide copies of their audit letters to(a) constituency hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) the local press who request them. [18038]

§ Mr. Horam
Statutory auditors of national health service trusts are appointed by the Audit Commission and it is not for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health to instruct them on these matters.