§ Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress his Department is making with the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting; and in respect of which financial year he expects to publish the first set of resource accounts. [4979]
§ Mr. StreeterMy officials are working closely with the Treasury towards the introduction of resource accounting. Systems to provide the information necessary for resource accounting are being procured through the private finance initiative. We plan to award the contract in August 1997. Resource accounts will then be produced and audited for 1998–99. Subject to our, and the National Audit Office's, satisfaction the first published account will be for the financial year 1999–2000.