Special Health Authorities (Audit) Order 2006

My Lords, I can only reiterate what is before me as regards the impact assessment. That is the basis on which these savings should be judged. If there are no further points, perhaps I may put the order into context. In 2003, the Government made orders in support of their objective of reducing the audit burden while maintaining parliamentary accountability for Special Health Authorities and the Department of Health. As has been acknowledged, the Comptroller and Auditor General was appointed auditor of some 19 Special Health Authorities ensuring that the audited accounts of each body would be laid before Parliament annually, together with the C&AG report on those accounts. There would no longer be a requirement for the Department of Health to prepare summarised accounts for Special Health Authorities, except in a few cases. The Department of Health’s review of its arm’s-length bodies now means that there will be 17 Special Health Authorities preparing accounts. Of these, 13 will be included in the Department of Health’s resource accounts and four will not. Therefore, the department will need to prepare only summarised accounts for four Special Health Authorities. The Health Bill presently making its way through Parliament will regularise the position so that there will be no need to take such orders through Parliament every time a new Special Health Authority is created. In conclusion, the order debated today will result in clear and continuing net benefits in terms of simplifying the auditing framework, reduced audit burdens and the maintenance of accountability to Parliament for the Special Health Authorities themselves and the Department of Health. I commend the order to the House. On Question, Motion agreed to.