Written question asked by Andrew Griffiths (Conservative) on Monday, 20 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 June 2011. It was answered by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 29 June 2011 on behalf of the Audit Commission.

Audit Commission

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 663W, on the Audit Commission, what the business case was for the expenditure by the Commission of the Board on a dinner at Bentley's Seafood Restaurant.

Answer: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend direct.The expenditure was incurred under the last Administration. Ministers in this Government do not consider such practices to be a good use of taxpayers' money.Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 29 June 2011:"The Audit Commission Board held dinners on the evening before some Board meetings, to allow Commissioners a slightly less formal opportunity for discussion and debate. A review of the Board's effectiveness, required under our Corporate Governance Framework, confirmed that these were valuable and should continue. On occasion, executive staff, and DCLG colleagues, also attended.""The dinner at Bentley's Seafood Restaurant, on 3 March 2010, was one such dinner."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 61765; 530 c787W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Audit Commission
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Audit Commission Restaurants
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk