HL Deb 15 December 2003 vol 655 cc104-5WA
Lord Smith of Leigh

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will encourage the various bodies that inspect local government to follow the lead of the Audit Commission in taking a more strategic approach to inspection and in co-ordinating their activities to ensure that inspections add value and lead to improvement. [HL239]

Lord Rooker

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister welcomes the commitment expressed by the Audit Commission to a strategic approach to inspection. The other bodies which inspect local government have also expressed a commitment to the principles of proportionality and co-ordination. This is in line with the Government's policy on the inspection of public services, which was published in July this year. Significant progress has been made; inspections are better targeted to where they will do most good and the timing and content of such inspections are better co-ordinated. However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister believes much more can still be done to improve the effectiveness of inspection and is working with all those who inspect local government to deliver this.