Written question asked by Gerard Vaughan (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 May 1996. It was answered by David Curry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 May 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What is his policy in respect of out of court payments made by local authorities with special reference to the payment by Northumberland County Council to a former employee, on the grounds of stress in the performance of his job; what assessment he has made of whether such payments are a proper use of public funds; and if he will freeze this payment until it has been examined by the District Auditor.

Answer: Sir Gerard Vaughan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of out-of-court payments made by local authorities with special reference to the payment by Northumberland county council to a former employee, on the grounds of stress in the performance of his job; what assessment he has made of whether such payments are a proper use of public funds; and if he will freeze this payment until it has been examined by the district auditor.[27645] Mr. Curry: Following an award of damages by the courts against Northumberland county council, and prior to an appeal, the county council reached an out-of-court settlement with a former employee which was met by its insurers. The district auditor has no locus as regards payments met by insurers.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 27645; 277 c66W
Session: 1995-96
Subjects: Compensation Damages Legal costs Local government Staff Northumberland County Council