Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I am rather surprised that the noble Duke has raised this matter because the accounts provision is a standard practice of NDPBs and gives the Government and the taxpayer a guaranteed level of accountability for the CRC. The noble Duke asked who would have the right to see the accounts. The commission will be obliged to make them publicly available. He also asked in what circumstances accounts could be sought. Internal Defra auditors are required to produce them annually or more often were there to be financial problems within the organisation, which is a rare occurrence. There has to be an annual internal audit for good governance practice. I hope that answers the noble Duke’s questions.