§ Norman BakerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) the circumstances in which an accounting officer should seek a direction from a Minister before authorising expenditure, (b) the number of occasions since 6 June 2001 that such directions have been sought by accounting officers and (c) the Department and sum involved and the purpose of the expenditure for which a direction was sought in each case.[162894]
§ Ruth KellyThe circumstances in which an accounting officer should seek a direction from a Minister before authorising expenditure are set out in paragraphs 15–18 of the Treasury document, "The Responsibilities of an Accounting Officer", as updated in March 2004. This document is published as annex 4.1 of the Treasury guidance, "Government Accounting". It may be viewed online at www.government-accounting.gov.uk.
The number of occasions since 6 June 2001 when such directions have been sought by accounting officers is four. The Departments concerned, together with general subject matter of each direction, were detailed in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 30 October 2003, Official Report, column 311W; the answer given by the Economic Secretary on 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 617W; the answer given by the Chief Secretary on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 1037W; and in the answer given by his predecessor on 8 May 2002, Official Report, column 253W, relating to the direction issued in the then Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in 2002 and not, as stated in column 253W, in 2001.
The Treasury is advised when a ministerial direction is issued, but comprehensive information on the sums involved and the purpose of the expenditure related to the direction is not provided to the Treasury by Departments.