§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities in housing account surplus, stating for each(a) the surplus and (b) the number of tenancies in the last year for which information is available. [98609]
§ Mr. McNultyI have placed in the Library a table listing the 209 local authorities with an assumed surplus on their Housing Revenue Account (HRA). These assumed surpluses are currently offset against any subsidy due to the authority in respect of rent rebates. The information is taken from the latest HRA subsidy claim forms for 2002–03.
Cost of inspection (£ million at 2001–02 prices) Year1 Audit Commission Benefit Fraud Inspectorate HM Inspectorate of Constabulary2 HM Fire Services Inspectorate3 Ofsted4 Social Services Inspectorate5 1997–98 0.8 3.9 0 n/a n/a 6.7 1998–99 3.9 6.3 0 n/a n/a 6.6 1999–2000 15.9 5.7 0 1.5 1.6 9.0 2000–01 41.3 6.0 0.5 1.4 2.7 9.5 2001–02 50.4 5.5 0.6 1.6 2.7 10.2 1April-March, except for the Audit Commission, whose financial year is currently November-October. 2Costs for best value inspections of police authorities. There was no duty to inspect police authorities before April 2000. 3Figures for 1997–99 could be given only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1999–2002 are estimates. HMFSI carry out inspections, and other work, in addition to the inspection of local authorities, and historically the costs have not been recorded separately. 4The Ofsted costs include the inspection of local education authorities (LEAs), but not schools, and do not include overhead costs. Figures for 1997–99 could be given only at disproportionate cost. The Audit Commission's costs of joint inspections of LEAs (approximately £1 million a year from1999–2000) are included in the Audit Commission's inspection costs. 5 The Audit Commission's costs of joint Audit Commission / SSI reviews(approximately £2 million a year from 1999–2000) are included in the Audit Commission's inspection costs. Both audit and inspection costs include those arising from new responsibilities acquired under the Local Government Act 1999 and other legislation.