Departmental Resource Accounts

HC Deb 02 December 2002 vol 395 cc476-7W

Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the National Audit Office qualified his Departmental Resource Accounts for 2000–01. [84541]

Mr. Ingram

We have confirmed the hon. Member is referring to 2001–02. The Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) qualified the Departmental Resource Accounts for 2001–02 for the following reasons:-

The Department was not able to give sufficient information and explanation on: Completeness of stock consumption and depreciation charges for assets held by contractors. Charges relating to stock write off and impairment of capital spares on the supply systems at Air Environment.

The Department exceeded its voted net resources by £601.8 million in non-cash expenditure, primarily as a result of impairment of the valuation of certain equipment.

Further details are given in the published 2001–02 Departmental Resource Accounts published on 21 November 2002 (HC47).