asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why some documents in his Department are marked "Not for National Audit Officer Eyes"; which documents are so marked and according to which criteria; and if he will make a statement.

Files which deal with the conduct of the Departments business with the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee are not shown to the NAO. This has been agreed with the National Audit Office on the understanding that these files will be strictly confined to their particular business and marked accordingly. All papers dealing with NAO or PAC business are marked "not for NAO eyes" and placed on the files which are so marked.I understand that my Department's practice in this respect is similar to that of other Departments.