asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Auditor General has any function in regard to the expenditure of the European Communities outside and inside the United Kingdom, respectively.

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the Comptroller and Auditor General is independent of the Government, but I am informed by him that he has no function in regard to expenditure of the European Communities outside the United Kingdom. His functions in regard to expenditure of the European Communities inside the United Kingdom are set out in paragraph 7 of his Report on the Appropriation Accounts (Classes I-V: Civil) for 1972–73.