HC Deb 18 May 1999 vol 331 cc287-8W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tendering procedures were employed by the District Auditor in the case of Westminster City Council in choosing his legal representative.[84104]

Ms Armstrong

This is a matter for the independent appointed auditor.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been levied from local authorities by the Audit Commission up to 30 April to finance the Divisional Court and the Appeal Court costs of Westminster Council's appointed auditor, his support staff and legal team. [84116]

Ms Armstrong

The Audit Commission is required to balance income with expenditure taking one year with another. The Audit Commission has met, in relation to the Westminster designated sales inquiry, costs of £2,997,000 incurred by the auditor in respect of his costs and those of his solicitor and barrister.

Mr. Pickles

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the amount which the Audit Commission will need to levy from local authorities to reimburse the legal costs of the six persons cleared by the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal of liability for the surcharge by the Westminster Council's Auditor. [84117]

Ms Armstrong

My right hon. Friend has made no such estimate. Audit fees are a matter for the independent Audit Commission.

Back to