CONDUCT OF SIR ANDREW FOSTER, CONTROLLER, AUDIT COMMISSION

Early day motion 728, tabled 12 February 2003 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 6 members.

That this House notes with concern that Sir Andrew Foster, Controller, Audit Commission, has not replied to or had the courtesy to acknowledge a letter from the honourable Member for Kingston upon Hull North dated 20th December 2002, which highlighted a number of inaccuracies and serious flaws in the Audit Commission's Corporate Governance inspection report of Kingston upon Hull City Council; expresses disappointment with Sir Andrew Foster and the Audit Commission about the blatant refusal to take note and investigate these inaccuracies; notes with worry that this behaviour by the Audit Commission effectively means that local authorities inspected by the Audit Commission have no protection or power to contest and amend inaccuracies in inspection reports; urges Sir Andrew Foster seriously to consider and respond to the points raised in the letter from the honourable Member for Kingston upon Hull North; further urges the Government to address this issue and ensure local authorities are able to prevent the Audit Commission from publishing unfair and inaccurate statements in their reports; believes that such a move would ensure local authorities have confidence in Audit Commission inspections; and concludes that this kind of behaviour by the Audit Commission puts into question the integrity and authority of the organisation. unfair and inaccurate statements in their reports; believes that such a move would ensure local authorities have confidence in Audit Commission inspections; and concludes that this kind of behaviour by the Audit Commission puts into question the integrity and authority of the organisation.

Signatures by party: Labour 6.