Minutes of Proceedings · Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Tim Banfield,...

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House of Commons

Committee of Public Accounts

Minutes of Proceedings

Session 2007–08

The Committee of Public Accounts

The Committee of Public Accounts is appointed by the House of Commons to examine “the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure, and of such other accounts laid before Parliament as the committee may think fit” (Standing Order No 148).

Membership as of 27 November 2008

Mr Edward Leigh MP Chairman (Conservative, Gainsborough) Mr Richard Bacon MP (Conservative, South Norfolk) Angela Browning MP (Tiverton & Honiton) Mr Paul Burstow MP (Liberal Democrat, Sutton and Cheam) Rt Hon David Curry MP (Conservative, Skipton & Ripon) Mr Ian Davidson MP (Labour, Glasgow South West) Mr Philip Dunne MP (Conservative, Ludlow) Angela Eagle MP (Labour, Wallasey) Nigel Griffiths MP (Edinburgh South) Rt Hon Keith Hill MP (Streatham) Mr Austin Mitchell MP (Labour, Great Grimsby) Dr John Pugh MP (Liberal Democrat, Southport) Geraldine Smith MP (Morecombe & Lundesdale) Rt Hon Don Touhig MP (Labour, Islwyn) Rt Hon Alan Williams MP (Labour, Swansea West) Phil Wilson MP (Sedgefield) The following was also a member of the committee during the session. Chris Bryant MP (Rhonnda) Mr Philip Dunne MP (Conservative, Ludlow) Mr John Healey MP (Labour, Wentworth) Ian Lucas MP (Wrexham) Derek Wyatt MP (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

Powers

Powers of the Committee of Public Accounts are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 148. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk.

Publications

The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at http://www.parliament.uk/pac.

Committee staff

The current staff of the Committee is Mark Etherton (Clerk), Lorna Horton (Senior Committee Assistant), Pam Morris (Committee Assistant) Jane Lauder (Committee Assistant) and Alex Paterson (Media Officer).

Contacts

All correspondence should be addressed to the Clerk, Committee of Public Accounts, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. The telephone number for general enquiries is 020 7219 5708; the Committee’s email address is [email protected]

Proceedings of the Committee

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2007

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair

Mr Richard Bacon Mr Philip Dunne Mr Austin Mitchell

Dr John Pugh Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Helping individuals understand and complete their tax forms Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, and Jane Wheeler, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Mr Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Helping individuals understand and complete their tax forms (HC 452), was considered. Mr Paul Gray CB, Chairman and Mr Nick Lodge, Director, Customer Contact, HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 47-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 12 November at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2007

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Philip Dunne Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Phil Wilson

1. Declaration of interests Keith Hill disclosed his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992.

Phil Wilson disclosed his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 2. The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Peter Gray, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Ms Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen (HC 530), was considered. Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, and Mr Tim Soane, Director, Employment Relations Directorate, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, gave oral evidence (HC 71-i)

[Adjourned until Wednesday 14 November at 3.30 pm.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne

Nigel Griffiths Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Declaration of interests Nigel Griffiths disclosed his interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 2. The budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Keith Hawkswell, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Mr Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (HC 612), was considered.

Mr Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Mr David Higgins, Olympic Delivery Authority, gave oral evidence (HC 85-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Declaration of interests Geraldine Smith disclosed her interests in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 2. Housing Market Renewal Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and David Corner, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Ms Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Housing Market Renewal (HC 20), was considered. Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary, Richard McCarthy, Director General of Programmes, Policy & Innovation, Department for Communities and Local Government, Michael Gahagan CB, Chair, Transform South Yorkshire, and Siobhan McCoy, Divisional Manager, Housing Market Renewal Initiative, Liverpool City Council, gave oral evidence (HC 106-i). 3. HMRC Standard Report 2006-07: Tax credits: PAYE The Committee considered this matter.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Loss of data at HM Revenue and Customs The Committee considered this matter. 2. The Pensions Regulator Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Chris Shapcott, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Ms Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The Pensions Regulator (HC 1035), was considered. Tony Hobman, Chairman, David Norgrove, Chief Executive, The Pensions Regulator and Bill Galvin, Department for Work and Pensions, gave oral evidence (HC 122-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Phil Wilson

1. The Privatisation of QinetiQ The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from QinetiQ. 2. HMRC loss of data The Committee considered this matter. Resolved, That the Committee take oral evidence from HM Revenue and Customs. 3. Sustainable employment: supporting people to stay in work and advance Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Trish Brown, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Mr Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Sustainable employment: supporting people to stay in work and advance (HC 32), was considered. Adam Sharples, Director-General, Work, Welfare and Equality Group, Department for Work and Pensions, Stephen Marston, Director-General, Further Education and Skills Group, Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills, Mark Haysom, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Council and Lesley Strathie, Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus, gave oral evidence (HC 131-i). 4. The Committee’s future programme—Winter/Spring 2008 The Committee considered this matter.



Members present:


Mr Ian Davidson Angela Eagle Nigel Griffiths

Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

1. Government on the internet: progress in delivering information and service Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Keith Holden, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance.

Mr Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Government on the internet: progress in delivering information and service (HC 529), was considered. Alexis Cleveland, Director-General, Transformational Government, John Suffolk, Chief Information Officer, Cabinet Office and Alan Bishop, Chief Executive, Central Office of Information, gave oral evidence (HC 143-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 3 December at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 3 DECEMBER 2007

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Nigel Griffiths Mr Austin Mitchell


1. The Privatisation of QinetiQ Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Patricia Leahy, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Ms Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, and Mr Jeremy Pocklington, Head of Corporate and Private Finance, HM Treasury, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The Privatisation of QinetiQ (HC 52), was considered. Bill Jeffrey CB, Permanent Under Secretary, Trevor Woolley, Finance Director, Ministry of Defence, Peter Schofield, Director, Shareholder Executive, and Sir John Chisholm, Chairman, QinetiQ, gave oral evidence (HC 151-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 5 December at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2007

Members present:

Mr Alan Williams, in the Chair

Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Dr John Pugh

Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Phil Wilson

1. The Carbon Trust: Accelerating the move to a low carbon economy Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Phil Gibby, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The Carbon Trust: Accelerating the move to a low carbon economy (HC 7), was considered. Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Tom Delay, Chief Executive, The Carbon Trust, gave oral evidence (HC 157-i). 2. Improving corporate functions Resolveded, That the Committee visit the NHS Shared Business Service Centre, Tingley, Yorkshire, on 11 December, in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Improving corporate functions using shared services.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne

Dr John Pugh Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Alan Williams

1. Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Managing risk in the overseas territories Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Tim Banfield, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Managing risk in the overseas territories (HC 4), was considered. Sir Peter Ricketts KCMG, Permanent Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Dr Minouche Shafik, Director General, Country Programmes, Department for International Development, gave oral evidence (HC 172-i). 2. Department for International Development: Tackling rural poverty in developing countries Draft Report (Department for International Development: Tackling rural poverty in developing countries), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 3. Department of Health: Prescribing costs in primary care Draft Report (Department of Health: Prescribing costs in primary care), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.

Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 4. Building for the future: Sustainable construction and refurbishment on the government estate Draft report (Building for the future: Sustainable construction and refurbishment on the government estate), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 14 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 5. Environment Agency: Building and maintaining river and coastal flood defences in England Draft Report (Environment Agency: Building and maintaining river and coastal flood defences in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 12 December at 3.30 pm.

Tuesday 11 December

The Chairman, and Dr John Pugh visited the NHS Shared Business Service Centre in Tingley, West Yorkshire in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 5 December.

WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2007

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Dr John Pugh Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Improving corporate functions using shared services Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Keith Davis, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Improving corporate functions using shared services (HC 9), was considered.

Alexis Cleveland, Director-General, Transformational Government, Cabinet Office, Peter Coates, Director of Finance and Investment, NHS, and Phil Wheatley, Director General, HM Prison Service, gave oral evidence (HC 190-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Philip Dunne Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Loss of data by HM Revenue and Customs Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Caroline Mawhood, Assistant Auditor General, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts and Matthew Hassan, Senior policy adviser, Revenue Service Delivery team were in attendance. Dave Hartnett CB, Acting Chairman and Nick Lodge, Director, Security, HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 200-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 9 January at 3.30 pm.

Tuesday 18 December – Wednesday 19 December

The Chairman visited the European Parliament, Brussels to attend a meeting of the EU Committee on Budgetary Control in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 22 October.

WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Mr Alan Williams

1. BBC Procurement Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Keith Hawkswell, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The C&AG’s Review: BBC Procurement, was considered. Jeremy Peat, BBC Trustee, Mark Thompson, Director-General, Zarin Patel, Group Finance Director, and Beverly Tew, Head of Procurement, BBC, gave oral evidence (HC 221-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 14 January at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 14 JANUARY 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Philip Dunne Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Mr Alan Williams

1. Use of office property by government departments Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Keith Davis, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Use of office property by government departments (HC 8), was considered. Nigel Smith, Chief Executive, Mike Burt, Director, Government Estate Transformation, Office of Government Commerce, Jon Thompson, Director General, Corporate Services, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Louise Tulett,

Group Finance Director, Procurement and Operations, HM Treasury, gave oral evidence (HC 229-i). 2. Evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty Draft Report (Evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 3. Improving services and support for people with dementia Draft Report (Improving services and support for people with dementia), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 4. Other countries’ systems of Scrutiny of Public Expenditure Resolved, That the Committee visit Rome and the Vatican, and that the Chairman seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with this visit. 5. Leaving the Services Resolved, That the Committee visit Aldershot Army Base, in connection with its inquiry into Leaving the Services.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Keith Hill


1. Compensating victims of violent crime Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Aileen Murphie, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance, and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Compensating victims of violent crime (HC 100), was considered. Sir Suma Chakrabarti, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Carole Oatway, Chief Executive, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, and Peter Handcock, Chief Executive, Tribunals Service, gave oral evidence (HC 251-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill


1. Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts 2006-07: Achieving financial balance Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Claire Rollo, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts 2006-07: Achieving financial balance (HC 129), was considered. David Nicholson CBE Chief Executive, and David Flory, Director General for NHS Finance, Performance and Operations, National Health Service, gave oral evidence (HC 267-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Philip Dunne

Mr Austin Mitchell Geraldine Smith Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. A progress update in resolving the difficulties in administering the Single Payment Scheme in England Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Philip Gibby, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, A progress update in resolving the difficulties in administering the Single Payment Scheme in England (HC 10), was considered.

Mrs Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Tony Cooper, Interim Chief Executive, Rural Payments Agency, gave oral evidence (HC 285-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig

1. Management of large business Corporation Tax Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Jane Wheeler, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Management of large business Corporation Tax (HC 614), was considered. Dave Hartnett CB, Acting Chairman, Melanie Dawes, Acting Director General (Business) and Freda Challoner, Acting Director (Large Business Service), HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 302-i). 2. Excess Votes Draft Report (Excess Votes), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 10 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Seventh Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. 3. Tax Credits and PAYE Draft Report (Tax Credits and PAYE), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 37 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Eighth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. Written evidence was ordered to be reported to the House for printing with the Report. 4. Helping people from workless households into work Draft Report (Helping people from workless households into work), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Nigel Griffiths Mr Austin Mitchell

Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. The cancellation of Bicester Accommodation Centre Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Aileen Murphie, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The cancellation of Bicester Accommodation Centre (HC 19), was considered. Sir David Normington, Permanent Secretary, Home Office and Lin Homer, Chief Executive, Border and Immigration Agency, gave oral evidence (HC 316-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 4 February at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Phil Wilson

1. Progress in Tackling Benefit Fraud Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Jeremy Lonsdale, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence.

Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Progress in Tackling Benefit Fraud (HC 102), was considered. Sir Leigh Lewis KCB, Permanent Secretary, and Shirley Trundle, Director, Benefit Strategy Directorate, Department of Work and Pensions, and Neil Couling, Director, Benefits and Fraud Directorate, JobCentre Plus, gave oral evidence (HC 323-i). 2. Staying the course: The retention of students on higher education courses Draft Report (Staying the course: The retention of students on higher education courses), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Tenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 6 February at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill


1. Making changes in Operational PFI projects

Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and James Robertson, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Making changes in Operational PFI projects (HC 205), was considered. John Kingman, Second Permanent Secretary, Gordon McKechnie, Head of PFI Policy, HM Treasury, and James Stewart, Chief Executive, Partnerships UK, gave oral evidence (HC 332-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Alan Williams

1. Ministry of Defence: Leaving the services Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Mark Andrews, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Ministry of Defence: Leaving the services (HC 618), was considered. Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Under Secretary, Chris Baker OBE, Director-General, Personnel Policy and Air Commodore Phil Miles, Director of Resettlement, Ministry of Defence, gave oral evidence (HC 351-i).

2. The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen Draft Report (The compensation scheme for former Icelandic water trawlermen), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Eleventh Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Coal health compensation schemes Draft Report (Coal health compensation schemes), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 27 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twelfth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Sustainable employment: Supporting people to stay in work and advance Draft Report (Sustainable employment: Supporting people to stay in work and advance), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Thirteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Neonatal Services Resolved, That the Committee visit Homerton Hospital, in connection with its inquiry into Neonatal Services. 6. Securing Host Nation Sporting Success in 2012 Resolved, That the Committee visit the 2012 Olympics site, in connection with its inquiry into Securing Host Nation Sporting Success in 2012. 7. UK-Irish Public Accounts Committees Resolved, That the Chairman, accompanied by the Clerk, attend a meeting of British and Irish Committees of Public Accounts in Cardiff, on 22 April, in a representative capacity.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Reducing the Cost of Complying with Regulations: The Delivery of the Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, 2007 Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Chris Shapcott, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Reducing the Cost of Complying with Regulations: The Delivery of the Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme, 2007, HC (2006-07) 615, was considered.

Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, William Sargent, Executive Chair, and Jitinder Kohli, Chief Executive, Better Regulation Executive, and Stephen Banyard, Director, Business Customer Unit, HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 363-i).



Members present:


Angela Browning Mr Philip Dunne Keith Hill


1. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Taking forward decommissioning Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Peter Gray, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority: Taking forward decommissioning HC 238, was considered. Dr Ian Roxburgh, Chief Executive, and James Morse, Divisional Director (Assurance), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and Mark Higson, Director, Nuclear Unit, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, gave oral evidence (HC 370-i).


Tuesday 26 February

The Chairman, Angela Browning, Mr Austin Mitchell and Mr Don Touhig visited the Homerton Hospital, London in connection with their inquiry into neonatal services in England, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 18 February.


Members present:


Angela Browning Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Mr Austin Mitchell


1. Caring for Vulnerable Babies: The Reorganisation of neonatal services in England The Committee considered this matter. Mr Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Karen Taylor, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Caring for Vulnerable Babies: The Reorganisation of neonatal services in England HC 101, was considered. David Nicholson CBE, Chief Executive, Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, Professor Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, and Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, Medical Director, National Health Service, gave oral evidence (HC 390-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 3 March at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 3 MARCH 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Providing budget support to developing countries Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Nick Sloan, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance.

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Providing budget support to developing countries (HC 6), was considered. Dr Minouche Shafik, Permanent Secretary, Sam Sharpe, Director, Finance and Corporate Performance, and Rachel Turner, Head of DfID Mozambique, Department for International Development, gave oral evidence (HC 395-i). 2. The National Audit Office Supply Estimate 2008-09 The National Audit Office Supply Estimate 2008-09 and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s memorandum on the Estimate were considered. Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Jim Rickleton, Assistant Auditor General, and Phil Woodward, National Audit Office, gave oral evidence (HC 396-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 5 March at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2008

Members present:

Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair.

Mr Richard Bacon Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell


1. Partnering for success: Preparing to deliver the 14-19 education reforms in England Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Angela Hands, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Partnering for success: Preparing to deliver the 14-19 education reforms in England (HC 99), was considered. David Bell, Permanent Secretary, and Jon Coles, Director of 14-19 Reform, Department for Children, Schools and Families, gave oral evidence (HC 413-i).


MONDAY 10 MARCH 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Mr Alan Williams

1. Preparations for Digital Switchover Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Rob Prideaux, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Preparations for Digital Switchover (HC 306), was considered. Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sir Brian Bender, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and Peter White, Chief Executive, Digital Switchover Help Scheme, gave oral evidence (HC 416-i).



Members present:



Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Major Projects Report 2007 Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Tim Banfield, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Major Projects Report 2007 (HC 98), was considered.

Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Under Secretary, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE and Lieutenant General Andrew Figgures CBE, Ministry of Defence, gave oral evidence (HC 433-i).


Tuesday 18 March

The Chairman, Keith Hill, Mr Don Touhig and Phil Wilson visited the Olympic Park site, Stratford in connection with the Committee’s inquiries into the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 18 February.


Members present:


Mr Ian Davidson Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill


1. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Management of Expenditure Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Philip Gibby, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Management of Expenditure (HC 309), was considered. Mrs Helen Ghosh, Permanent Secretary, and Mr Stephen Park, Interim Finance Director General, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave oral evidence (HC 447-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Angela Browning Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith Phil Wilson

1. NHS Pay Modernisation: New contracts for general practice services in England Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Karen Taylor, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, NHS Pay Modernisation: New contracts for general practice services in England (HC 307), was considered. Mr David Nicholson, Chief Executive, Professor David Colin-Thomé, National Director for Primary Care and Medical Adviser, and Mark Britnell, Director General of Commissioning and System Management, NHS, gave oral evidence (HC 463-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Keith Hill Mr Don Touhig


1. Increasing employment rates for ethnic minorities Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and David Woodward, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance.

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Increasing employment rates for ethnic minorities (HC 206), was considered. Sir Leigh Lewis KCB, Permanent Secretary, Nahid Majid OBE, Deputy Director, Area Initiatives and Communities Division, Department for Work and Pensions and Chris Hayes, Director for London, Jobcentre Plus gave oral evidence (HC 472-i). 2. The budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Draft Report (The budget for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 32 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fourteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. The Pensions Regulator: Progress in establishing its new regulatory arrangements Draft Report (The Pensions Regulator: Progress in establishing its new regulatory arrangements), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

4. Government on the internet: Progress in delivering information and services online Draft Report (Government on the internet: Progress in delivering information and services online), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Sixteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Managing Risk in the Overseas Territories Draft Report (Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Managing Risk in the Overseas Territories), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Seventeenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. Improving corporate functions using shared services Draft Report (Improving corporate functions using shared services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Eighteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 7. BBC Procurement Draft Report (BBC Procurement), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Nineteenth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 2 April at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Philip Dunne

Mr Ian Davidson Keith Hill 1. Preparing for Sporting Success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Beyond Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Rob Prideaux, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Preparing for Sporting Success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Beyond (HC 434), was considered. Mr Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr John Steele, Chief Executive and Ms Liz Nicholl OBE, Director of Elite Sport, UK Sport, gave oral evidence (HC 477-i).


Tuesday 22 April

The Chairman and the Clerk visited Cardiff to attend a joint meeting of UK, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Committees of Public Accounts in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 18 February.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson

Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Mr Alan Williams

1. Evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty and Vehicle Excise Duty 2006–07 Accounts Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Caroline Mawhood, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence and (ii) Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General and Martin Sinclair, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance.

Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance and gave oral evidence and (ii) Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. Evidence was taken on Evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty: The Fifth Report of the Committee, Evasion of Vehicle Excise Duty, (HC 227), and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Vehicle Excise Duty 2006–07 Accounts , (HC 800), were considered. Dr Stephen Hickey, Director-General, Safety, Service Delivery and Logistics Group, Anthony Boucher, Head of Statistics Travel Division, Department for Transport, and Noel Shanahan, Customer service Director, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, gave oral evidence (HC 227-i). 2. The National Probation Service: the supervision of community orders in England and Wales The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The National Probation Service: the supervision of community orders in England and Wales, HC 203 was considered. Sir Suma Chakrabarti, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Roger Hill, Director of Probation, National Probation Service, and Phil Wheatley, Director General, HM Prison Service for England and Wales, gave oral evidence (HC 508-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 28 April at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 28 APRIL 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Keith Hill Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. Improving finance resource management to deliver better public services Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Hedley Ayres, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Improving finance resource management to deliver better public services, (HC 240), was considered.

Nicholas Macpherson, Permanent Secretary, Jon Thompson, Director General, Corporate Services, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Head of Government Finance Profession, HM Treasury, and Gill Rider, Director General, Civil Service Capabilities Group, Cabinet Office, gave oral evidence (HC 519-i). 2. HM Revenue and Customs: Helping individuals understand and complete their tax forms Draft Report (HM Revenue and Customs: Helping individuals understand and complete their tax forms), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twentieth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. The Carbon Trust: Accelerating the move to a low carbon economy Draft Report (The Carbon Trust: Accelerating the move to a low carbon economy), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-first Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Improving the efficiency of central government’s use of office property

Draft Report (Improving the efficiency of central government’s use of office property), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-second Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts, 2006-07: Achieving Financial Balance Draft Report (Report on the NHS Summarised Accounts, 2006-07: Achieving Financial Balance), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 19 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-third Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. The BBC’s management of risk A draft Special Report (The BBC’s management of risk), proposed by the Chairman, brought up, read the first and second time and agreed to. A Paper was appended to the Report.

Resolved, That the Report be the First Special Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Keith Hill Geraldine Smith

Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. The roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus Office network Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Wendy Kenway-Smith, Assistant Auditor General and Sandy Gordon, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus Office network (HC 155), was considered. Lesley Strathie, Chief Executive, Jeremy Groombridge, Director for Transformation and Product Management and Peter Davies, Head, Business Design Division, Jobcentre Plus, gave oral evidence (HC 532-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 7 May at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2008

Members present:


Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson

Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith

Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. The Home Office: Reducing the risk of violent crime Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Martin Sinclair, Assistant Auditor General and Aileen Murphie, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The Home Office: Reducing the risk of violent crime (HC 241), was considered. Sir David Normington KCB, Permanent Secretary, and Simon King, Head of the Violent Crime Unit, Home Office, gave oral evidence (HC 546-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 12 May at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 12 MAY 2008

Members present:


Mr David Curry Dr John Pugh

Mr Don Touhig

1. The procurement of the National Roads Telecommunications Service Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Ed Humpherson, Assistant Auditor General and Mr James Robertson, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The procurement of the National Roads Telecommunications Service (HC 340), was considered. Archie Robertson OBE, Chief Executive, and David Bradbrook, Contract Manager, National Roads Telecommunications Service contract, Highways Agency, gave oral evidence (HC 558-i). 2. The privatisation of QinetiQ

Draft Report (The privatisation of QinetiQ), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. The cancellation of the Bicester Accommodation Centre Draft Report (The cancellation of the Bicester Accommodation Centre), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Caring for vulnerable babies: The reorganisation of neonatal services in England Draft Report (Caring for vulnerable babies: The reorganisation of neonatal services in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 33 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Department for International Development: Providing budget support to developing countries Draft Report (Department for International Development: Providing budget support to developing countries), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 33 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. Evasion of vehicle excise duty Draft Report (Evasion of vehicle excise duty), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 12 read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Second Special Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.



Members present:



Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh

1. Protecting consumers? Removing retail price controls Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Ed Humpherson, Assistant Auditor General and Chris Shapcott, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Protecting consumers? Removing retail price controls (HC 342), was considered. Sarah Chambers, Chief Executive, Postcomm, Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive, Ofgem, and Ed Richards, Chief Executive, Ofcom, gave oral evidence (HC 571-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 19 May at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 19 MAY 2008

Members present:

Mr Richard Bacon Mr David Curry

Mr Ian Davidson Mr Alan Williams

In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Alan Williams was called to the Chair for the meeting.

1. Meeting needs? The offenders learning and skills service Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Martin Sinclair, Assistant Auditor General and James Robertson, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Meeting needs? The offenders learning and skills service (HC 310), was considered. Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Mark Haysom, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Council and Phil Wheatley, Director-General, HM Prison Service, gave oral evidence (HC 584-i). 2. Government preparations for digital switchover Draft Report (Government preparations for digital switchover), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson

Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

1. Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office Resource Accounts 2005-06 and 2006-07 Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Martin Sinclair, Assistant Auditor General and Paul Keane, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office Resource Accounts 2005-06 (HC 273) and 2006-07 (HC 870), were considered. Mr David Green QC, Director, Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office, gave oral evidence (HC 601-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 2 June 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 2 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig Phil Wilson

1. Making grants efficiently in the culture, media and sport sector Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General and Rob Prideaux, Director were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance and gave oral evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Making grants efficiently in the culture, media and sport sector (HC 339), was considered. Nicholas Holgate, Chief Operating Officer, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Jennie Price, Chief Executive, Sport England, Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage, Alan Davey, Arts Council, and Peter Wanless, The Big Lottery Fund gave oral evidence (HC 641-i). 2. A progress update in resolving the difficulties in administering the single payment scheme in England

Draft Report (A progress update in resolving the difficulties in administering the single payment scheme in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Management of large business Corporation Tax Draft Report (Management of large business Corporation Tax), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 28 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirtieth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Progress in tackling benefit fraud Draft Report (Progress in tackling benefit fraud), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-first Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Reducing the cost of complying with regulations: the delivery of the Administrative Burdens Reduction programme, 2007 Draft Report (Reducing the cost of complying with regulations: the delivery of the Administrative Burdens Reduction programme, 2007), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 29 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-second Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2007 Draft Report (Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2007), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-third Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 7. Increasing employment rates for ethnic minorities Draft Report (Increasing employment rates for ethnic minorities), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 9. National Programme for IT Resolved, That the Committee visit the Department of Health, London, on Wednesday 11 June in connection with its inquiry into the National Programme for IT.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 4 June at 3.30 pm.

WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Ian Davidson Nigel Griffiths

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh

1. Reducing passenger rail delays by better management of incidents

Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Caroline Mawhood, Assistant Auditor General and Geraldine Barker, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report Reducing passenger rail delays by better management of incidents (HC 308), was considered. Dr Mike Mitchell, Director General, Rail and National Networks Group, Dr Gary Backler, Director, Rail Service Delivery, National Networks, Department for Transport, Iain Coucher, Chief Executive, Network Rail, Dr Bill Emery, Chief Executive, Office of Rail Regulation, and David Franks, Chief Executive, Trains Division, National Express Group and Managing Director, National Express East Coast and an ATOC Board member, Association of Train Operating Companies gave evidence (HC 655-i).


MONDAY 9 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Austin Mitchell

Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Shared services in the Department for Transport and its agencies Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Caroline Mawhood, Assistant Auditor General and Geraldine Barker, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Shared services in the Department for Transport and its agencies (HC 481), was considered. Robert Devereux, Permanent Secretary, and Barbara Moorhouse, Director General, Corporate Resources Group, Department for Transport gave oral evidence. (HC 684-i). 2. Housing Market Renewal: Pathfinders Draft Report (Housing Market Renewal: Pathfinders), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 11 June 3.30 pm.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Geraldine Smith

1. HM Revenue and Customs: Tackling the hidden economy Tim Burr, Comptroller and Auditor General, Caroline Mawhood, Assistant Auditor General and Jane Wheeler, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, HM Revenue and Customs: Tackling the hidden economy (HC 341), was considered. Dave Hartnett CB, Acting Chairman, Mike Norgrove, Director Central Compliance, and Naomi Ferguson, Director Local Compliance, HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 712-i).


MONDAY 16 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill


1. National programme for IT in the NHS: Progress since 2006 Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General and Angela Hands, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance and gave oral evidence. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, National programme for IT in the NHS: Progress since 2006 (HC 484), was considered. Dave Nicholson CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS, Gordon Hextall, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Director for Programme and Systems Delivery, NHS Connecting for Health, Professor Michael Thick, Chief Clinical Officer, NHS Connecting for Health and Dr Gillian Braunold, Clinical Director, Summary Care Record, Department of Health and Peter Hutchinson, Group Director, UK Public Services, Fujitsu Services, gave oral evidence. (HC 747-i).

[Adjourned until Wednesday 18 June 3.30 pm.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson


Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Dr John Pugh Phil Wilson

1. Ministry of Defence: Chinook Mk3 Helicopters Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Jim Rickleton, Assistant Auditor General, and Tim Banfield, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. Ministry of Defence: Chinook Mk3 Helicopters (HC 512), was considered. Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Secretary for Defence, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE, Chief of Defence Materiel, and Lt Gen Andrew Figgures CBE, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), Ministry of Defence, gave oral evidence (HC 747-i).


MONDAY 23 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr Ian Davidson Mr Philip Dunne

Mr Austin Mitchell Geraldine Smith Mr Don Touhig

1. The British Council: Achieving Impact Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Jim Rickleton, Assistant Auditor General and Tim Banfield, Director were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, The British Council: Achieving Impact, (HC 814), was considered. Martin Davidson CMG, Chief Executive, Rob Lynes, Regional Director for the Middle East, British Council, and Keith Luck, Director-General of Finance, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, gave oral evidence (HC 814-i). 2. HM Treasury: Making changes in operational PFI projects

Draft Report (HM Treasury: Making changes in operational PFI projects), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Ministry of Defence: Leaving the Services Draft Report (Ministry of Defence: Leaving the Services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 27 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority—Taking forward decommissioning Draft Report (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority—Taking forward decommissioning), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to.

Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Preparing to deliver the 14-19 education reforms in England Draft Report (Preparing to deliver the 14-19 education reforms in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Management of expenditure Draft Report (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Management of expenditure), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 12 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fortieth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 7. NHS Pay Modernisation: New contracts for General Practice services in England Draft Report (NHS Pay Modernisation: New contracts for General Practice services in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 29 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-first Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 8. Preparing for sporting success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond Draft Report (Preparing for sporting success at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-second Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

9. Managing financial resources to deliver better public services Draft Report (Managing financial resources to deliver better public services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 19 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-third Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 10. The roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus office network Draft Report (The roll-out of the Jobcentre Plus office network), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 25 June at 3.30 pm.


Members present:


Mr Ian Davidson Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell


1. Skills for life: Improving literacy and numeracy Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, and David Woodward, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Skills for life: Improving literacy and numeracy (HC 482), was considered. Mark Haysom, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Council and Stephen Marston, Director-General, Further Education and Skills, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, gave oral evidence (HC 854-i). 2. The Committee’s future programme—Autumn/Winter 2008 The Committee considered this matter.


MONDAY 30 JUNE 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Keith Hill


1. National Audit Office’s Forward Programme The National Audit Office’s Programme for 2009-2010 and areas for consideration 2009-2010, was considered. 2. Protecting consumers? Removing retail price controls

Tim Burr CB, Comptroller, Ed Humpherson, Assistant Auditor General and Chris Shapcott, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Protecting consumers? Removing retail price controls, (HC 342) was considered. Sarah Chambers, Chief Executive, Postcomm, gave oral evidence (HC 577-ii). 3. Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Progress report, June 2008 Tim Burr CB, Comptroller, Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General and Keith Hawkswell, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Progress report, June 2008 (HC 490), was considered. Jonathan Stephens, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and David Higgins, Chief Executive, Olympic Delivery Authority, gave oral evidence (HC 890-i). 4. Reducing the risk of violent crime Draft Report (Reducing the risk of violent crime), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 16 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. The procurement of the National Roads Telecommunications Services

Draft Report (The procurement of the National Roads Telecommunications Services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. Meeting needs? The Offender Learning and Skills Service Draft Report (Meeting needs? The Offender Learning and Skills Service), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Tuesday 15 July at 12.00 pm

Thursday 3–Saturday 5 July

The Chairman visited Vilnius, Lithuania in a representative capacity to meet with Public Accounts Committee counterparts, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 18 July 2007.

TUESDAY 15 JULY 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr Philip Dunne Nigel Griffiths

Keith Hill Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

1. The supervision of community orders in England and Wales Draft Report (The supervision of community orders in England and Wales), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 2. Making grants efficiently in the culture, media and sport sector Draft Report (Making grants efficiently in the culture, media and sport sector), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 31 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Draft Report (Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fiftieth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 8 October at 3.30 pm

WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2008

Members present:


Paul Burstow Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson Mr Nigel Griffiths Mr Austin Mitchell


1. HM Revenue and Customs Standard Report: Tax Credits and Income Tax

Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Caroline Mawhood, Assistant Auditor General, and John Thorpe, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, HM Revenue and Customs Standard Report: Tax Credits and Income Tax (HC 674), was considered. Mike Clasper CBE, Chairman, Dave Hartnett CB, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Sarah Walker, Director of Benefits and Credits, HM Revenue and Customs, gave oral evidence (HC 1085-i).

Sunday 12—Wednesday 15 October

The Chairman, Mr Richard Bacon, Mr Paul Burstow, Mr Ian Davidson and Geraldine Smith visited Rome and the Vatican, to scrutinise Italian audit and public accounts institutions, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 14 January.

[Adjourned until Monday 20 October at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Angela Browning Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson

Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig

1. Widening participation in higher education Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, and David Woodward, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Widening participation in higher education (HC 725), was considered. Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive, Higher Education Funding

Council for England, and Sir Martin Harris, Office for Fair Access, gave oral evidence (HC 1119-i). 2. Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office Draft Report (Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-first Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Protecting consumers? Removing price controls Draft Report (Protecting consumers? Removing price controls), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 28 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-second Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. Reducing rail passenger delays by better management of incidents Draft Report (Reducing rail passenger delays by better management of incidents), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.

Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-third Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 5. Compensating victims of violent crime Draft Report (Compensating victims of violent crime), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 6. BBC Procurement A Draft Special Report (BBC Procurement: The BBC Trust’s response to the nineteenth Report of the Committee of Public Accounts), proposed by the Chairman, brought up brought up, read the first and second time and agreed to. A Paper was appended to the Report. Resolved, That the Report be the Third Special Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 7. Fire and Rescue Service—the New Dimension Programme Resolved, That the Committee visit the London Fire and Rescue Service, in connection with its inquiry into Fire and Rescue Service—the New Dimension Programme.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 22 October at 3.30 pm


Members present:

Mr Richard Bacon Mr Ian Davidson Mr Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Alan Williams Phil Wilson

In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Alan Williams was called to take the Chair for the meeting. 1. Ministry of Defence: The Defence Information Infrastructure Jim Rickleton, Assistant Auditor General and Mark Andrews, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Ministry of Defence: The Defence Information Infrastructure (HC 788), was considered. Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Under Secretary, John C T Taylor, Chief Information Officer and Bob Quick OBE, Defence Information Infrastructure, Programme Team Leader, Ministry of Defence, gave oral evidence (HC 1133-i).

[Adjourned until Monday 27 October at 4.30 pm.

MONDAY 27 OCTOBER 2008

Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow


Mr Ian Davidson

Dr John Pugh

1. Protecting the public: the work of the Parole Board Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Martin Sinclair, Assistant Auditor General, and John Cable, Audit Manager, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report, Protecting the public: the work of the Parole Board (HC 239), was considered. Christine Glenn, Chief Executive, Parole Board, Phil Wheatley CB, Chief Executive, National Offender Management Service, and Peter Handcock CBE, Director General, Access to Justice Directorate, Ministry of Justice, gave oral evidence (HC 1041-i). 2. Contingent liability Resolved, That a copy of the letter from the Chairman to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change regarding a nuclear indemnity for the Sellafield Parent Body Organisation be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.

[Adjourned until Wednesday 29 October at 3.30 pm.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr Ian Davidson

Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Alan Williams

1. Department of Work and Pensions: Handling Customer Complaints Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Wendy Kenway-Smith, Assistant Auditor General, and David Clarke, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance.

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report Department of Work and Pensions: Handling Customer Complaints (HC 995), was considered. Sir Leigh Lewis KCB, Permanent Secretary, Terry Moran, Chief Executive, Pension, Disability and Carers Service, Department for Work and Pensions, and Lesley Strathie, Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus, gave oral evidence (HC 1155-i).



Members present:


Mr David Curry Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell

Dr John Pugh Mr Alan Williams

1. Programmes to reduce household energy consumption Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Gabrielle Cohen, Assistant Auditor General and Jill Goldsmith, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Programmes to reduce household energy consumption (HC 787), was considered. Moira Wallace, Acting Permanent Secretary, Edmund Hosker, Acting Director General, Anne Sharpe, Director, National Climate Change and Energy, Department for Energy and Climate Change and John Fiennes, Director, Sustainable Buildings and Climate Change, Department for Communities and Local Government, gave oral evidence (HC 116955-i).


Tuesday 4 November

The Chairman and Mr Nigel Griffiths visited the London Fire and Rescue Service in a representative capacity, in accordance with the Committee’s decision of 20 October.


Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Keith Hill


1. Department for International Development: Operating in insecure environments Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Ms Caroline Mahwood, Assistant Auditor General, and Mr Nick Sloan, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Department for International Development: Operating in insecure environments (HC 1048), was considered. Ms Nemat (Minouche) Shafik, Permanent Secretary, Mr Mark Lowcock, Director General, Country Programmes, Mr Moazzam Malik, Director, UN Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Division, and Ms Bella Bird, Head of DFID Nepal, Department for International Development, gave evidence (HC 1177-i).



Members present:


Mr Paul Burstow Mr Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Don Touhig Mr Alan Williams

1. Fire and Rescue Service: The New Dimension Programme Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Wendy Kenway-Smith, Assistant Auditor General and David Corner, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance.

Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Fire and Rescue Service: The New Dimension Programme (HC 1050), was considered. Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary, Sir Ken Knight, Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and Mike Reed, Deputy Director, Department for Communities and Local Government (HC 1184-i). 2. Tackling the hidden economy Draft Report (Tackling the hidden economy), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 29 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson

Mr Austin Mitchell Dr John Pugh Phil Wilson

1. Reducing alcohol harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General and Mark Davies, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance.

Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Reducing alcohol harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse (HC 1049), was considered. Hugh Taylor CB, Permanent Secretary, Dr Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Well-Being, Dr Mark Prunty, Senior Medial Officer, Alcohol Drugs and Tobacco Programme, Department of Health, and Dr Barbara Hakin, Chief Executive, East Midlands NHS Strategic Health Authority, gave evidence (HC 1197-i).



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr David Curry

Mr Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill

1. Renewing the physical infrastructure of English further education colleges Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, and Paul Wright-Anderson, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Paula Diggle, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Renewing the physical infrastructure of English further education colleges (HC 924), was considered. Ian Watmore, Permanent Secretary and Susan Pember OBE, Director, Further Education and Skills Performance Group, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and Mark Haysom, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Council, gave oral evidence (HC 1201-i). 2. British Council: Achieving Impact Draft Report (British Council: Achieving Impact), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 3. Shared services in the Department for Transport and its agencies Draft Report (Shared services in the Department for Transport and its agencies), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to. Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to. Summary read and agreed to. Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chairman make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 134. 4. The Committee’s future programme—Spring 2009 The Committee considered this matter. 5. Maintaining the occupied Royal Palaces Ordered, That the Committee visit Royal Palaces in London, on 22 January, in connection with the Committee’s inquiry into Maintaining the occupied Royal Palaces.



Members present:


Mr Richard Bacon Mr Paul Burstow Mr David Curry Mr Ian Davidson

Mr Nigel Griffiths Keith Hill Mr Austin Mitchell Mr Alan Williams

1. Ministry of Defence: The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Jim Rickleton, Assistant Auditor General, and Tim Banfield, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Ministry of Defence: The United Kingdom’s Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability (HC 1115), was considered. Sir Bill Jeffrey KCB, Permanent Under Secretary, Dr Paul Hollinshead OBE, Director of Strategic Requirement, Guy Lester, Director General Equipment, and Rear Admiral A D H Mathews CB, Director General Submarines, Ministry of Defence, gave evidence (HC 1154-i).



Members present:


Mr Austin Mitchell Geraldine Smith

Mr Alan Williams

1. Independent Police Complaints Commission Tim Burr CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, Martin Sinclair, Assistant Auditor General, and Richard Earles, Director, National Audit Office, were in attendance. Marius Gallaher, Alternate Treasury Officer of Accounts, was in attendance. The C&AG’s Report, Independent Police Complaints Commission (HC 1035), was considered.

Jane Furniss, Chief Executive, Independent Police Complaints Commission, gave evidence (HC 1208-i).


APPENDIX

DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS In accordance with the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, Members of select committees are required to give details of their pecuniary interests for circulation to the Committee, before proceeding to the election of a Chairman or, if appointed to the Committee subsequently, when attending their first meeting. Such declarations of interest, when made, are recorded in the minutes of proceedings. The interests have been recorded below under the categories used in the Register of Member’s Interests:

1 Directorships 2 Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. 3 Clients 4 Sponsorship or financial or material support 5 Gifts, benefits and hospitality (U.K.) 6 Overseas visits 7 Overseas benefits and gifts 8 Land and property 9 Registrable shareholdings 10 Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests

BURSTOW, Paul (Sutton and Cheam)

4. Sponsorship or financial or material support Donation to my constituency party received from: Mr Brian S Burstow (father) Mr and Mrs Campbell (private donation from constituents) Since September 2004 I have been provided an intern sponsored by CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education).

EAGLE, Angela (Wallasey)

Nil. HILL, Keith (Streatham)

6. Overseas visits 10-14 September 2007, to Honduras, to meet local representatives of Caritas and CAFOD in connection with the conditions of workers and the local community in the area of the San Martin gold mine and to meet senior parliamentarians in connection with the forthcoming Mining Reform legislation. All travel, accommodation and hospitality provided by the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development. (Registered 27 September 2007)

SMITH, Geraldine (Morecombe and Lunesdale)

Nil. TOUHIG, Don (Islwyn)

(Registered 3 September 2007) WILSON, Phil (Sedgefield)

Nil.

Minutes of Proceedings · Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Tim Banfield,...

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Transcript of Minutes of Proceedings · Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Tim Banfield,...