§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what procedures are used by his Department to brief officials appearing before select committees; [131381]
(2) if he will make a statement about the production of his Department's Annual Report; [131382]
(3) what accounting standards his Department used in producing the 2003 HM Treasury Annual Report; [131383]
(4) whether he plans to use an external auditor to audit the Treasury's Annual Report. [131386]
§ John HealeyThe Treasury's annual report sets out the performance of the department against its Public Service Agreement targets. It includes the same standard information as all departmental reports.
As with all departments, the financial data for previous years contained in the report are based on the Treasury's accounts, which are prepared in accordance with United Kingdom generally accepted accounting principles (UK GAAP), modified as necessary for the public sector 969W following advice from the independent Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB). These requirements are reflected in the resource accounting manual (RAM) (available at www.resource-accounung.gov.uk).
The Treasury's accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Accounts for the financial year 2002–03 (HC 999) were laid before Parliament on 16 July, and are available on the Department's website.
The financial data for future years are based on the agreed departmental expenditure limit for the department, and compiled using the same accounting treatment.
Briefing for officials appearing before select committees is provided by a range of people across the Department.