Dr Julian Lewis:  To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent comparative assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the reporting requirements under the system of external auditors and under the previous audit commission arrangements for town and parish councils.  [11434]

[Due for Answer on 11 February]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing (Luke Hall):  The Government has asked Sir Tony Redmond to undertake an independent review of the arrangements in place to support the transparency and quality of local authority financial reporting and external audit in England. The scope of the review includes the arrangements in place for town and parish councils. Sir Tony will publish his report in due course.