§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number and types of audit available to his Department to ensure that European funding is properly spent, indicating how many of the audits were used to monitor European grants to the ex-Rhuddlan Borough Council between 1988 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [65412]
§ Mr. HainPrime responsibility for the management and control of approved projects rests with the project sponsor.
In the case of Rhuddlan Borough Council they would have had their own internal audit review systems, and these would have been subject to annual external audit by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission.
The Welsh Office relies upon certificates provided by external auditors, which would have been the case with the former Rhuddlan Borough Council, and these attest to the accuracy of the final claims submitted in respect of each project.
The Department undertakes site visits to assess progress. Rhuddlan Borough Council was visited in 1992 and 1994.
The European Court of Auditors also undertakes independent visits. Rhuddlan Borough Council was visited in 1993 and 1995.
The Welsh Office's own systems of control and payments are subject to internal audit review and examination by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.