§ Baroness Whitakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Audit Commission fees payable by National Health Trusts for audits during 1999-2000 have been uprated by 4.25 per cent when the general NHS inflation uplift for that year is only 2.5 per cent. [HL1795]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The setting of audit fees is a matter for the Audit Commission itself, which operates independently of Her Majesty's Government. I have asked the Chair of the Commission to write to the noble Baroness with an explanation of the fee increases.