asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will instruct the district auditor to hold an inquiry into the purchase by Farnborough Council, Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Council of the land originally known as Southwood Farm; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no power to order such an inquiry. He could, under Section 165 of the Local Government Act 1972, direct the district auditor to hold an extraordinary audit of the accounts of the authorities concerned. This is in effect only an ordinary audit held earlier and I am not aware of any need for this.