asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the district auditor is to investigate the proposed sale by Wirral council of the Oak and Eldon Gardens site in Birkenhead; when he expects a report; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the district auditor has investigated this proposed sale in the course of the audit of the authority's accounts for 1981–82, which is still in progress. It is for him to decide whether to report on the matter.