§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent discussions he has had with Mr. Magill in respect of his role as the investigating auditor of Westminster city council. [20451]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNo such discussions have taken place. An auditor's inquiries are not a matter for the Government, but for the local authority and the appointed auditor.
§ Mr. PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans Mr. Magill has to make extracts of his report available prior to publication to those he is minded to criticise in respect of his report on Westminsters city council's policy on home sales. [20461]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIt is entirely for Mr. Magill, as the appointed external auditor, to determine the procedure for his investigation at Westminster, in accordance with the Audit Commission's code of audit practice for local authorities and the national health service in England and Wales.