§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times in(a) this Parliament and (b) the last Parliament, the Audit Commission has given evidence to the House of Commons Environment and Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committees. [153942]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Audit Commission has in this Parliament given evidence to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee on five occasions. The Audit Commission is reviewing its archives to ascertain the number of occasions it gave evidence to the Environment Select Committee in the last Parliament and the Controller of Audit will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the changes the Government have made to the powers of(a) the Audit Commission and (b) the District Audit Service in the past three years. [153799]
19W
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government amended the powers of the Audit Commission, and of auditors appointed by it, in the Local Government Act 1999, the Health Act 1999 and the Local Government Act 2000. The Audit Commission was given a new power to inspect compliance by Best Value authorities with the requirements of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999; and to work jointly with the Commission for Health Improvement in the Health Act 1999. Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have been given new a new power to audit the best value performance plans of Best Value authorities under the Local Government Act 1999. The powers of auditors to issue prohibition orders have been replaced by a power to issue advisory notices. In the Local Government Act 2000, the auditors' surcharging powers were repealed.