CONDUCT OF THE AUDIT COMMISSION (NO. 4)

Early day motion 180, tabled 21 November 2002 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 11 members.

That this House notes with extreme concern the failure of the Audit Commission to list the names and organisation of those who gave evidence during the Corporate Governance Inspection of Hull City Council; notes that in the Corporate Governance Inspections of Hillingdon LBC, Enfield LBC, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Bristol City Council, Corby Borough Council, Rotherham MBC, Mendip District Council, Torbay Council, Merton LBC and Rossendale Borough Council the names and organisations of those giving evidence was detailed in the report; further notes that an e-mail from the office of the honourable Member for Kingston upon Hull North on 3rd October, to Sir Andrew Foster about this issue has not been acknowledged or replied to by the Audit Commission; recognises the reluctance of the Audit Commission to justify the omission of names of those interviewed in Hull's report and not in the reports of other local authorities; believes that in these situations anonymous information will significantly differ from information that is to be attributable; furthermore is disappointed with the attitude of the Audit Commission on this matter and their failure to recognise its importance; and urges the Audit Commission to ensure that in future all inspection reports include the names and organisations of those who provided evidence.

Signatures by party: Labour 11.