§ Sir Gerard VaughanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of out-of-court payments made by local authorities with special reference to the payment by Northumberland county council to a former employee, on the ground of stress in the performance of his job; what assessment he has made of whether such payments are a proper use of public funds; and if he will freeze this payment until it has been examined by the district auditor. [27645]
§ Mr. CurryFollowing an award of damages by the courts against Northumberland county council, and prior to an appeal, the county council reached an out-of-court settlement with a former employee which was met by its insurers. The district auditor has no locus as regards payments met by insurers.