To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, for each year since 1983, he will list all the public interest reports issued by district auditors, showing the names of the local authorities concerned, the dates they were issued and the political control of those authorities at the time the reports were issued.

Auditors are required to send copies of public interest reports concerning local authorities to the Audit Commission and do not send copies to the Secretary of State for the Environment. Any available information will be obtainable from the Audit Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage the fees payable by local authorities for the services of district auditors were increased each year since 1979; and what was the annual rate of inflation applying at the time of each increase.

Increases in audit fee rates charged to local authorities in England and Wales are not readily available for the years prior to 1984. In subsequent years provincial fee rates have increased as shown in the table. Provincial fee rates cover around 70 per cent. of authorities. Supplements are charged to authorities in London and the south-east to cover additional costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount paid by local authorities, in England and Wales, in fees to district auditors each year since 1979, expressed in (a) current prices and (b) 1991 prices.

The gross fee income obtained from local authorities in England and Wales before 1983–84 is not readily available. The amounts of gross fee income obtained from the annual reports and accounts of the Audit Commission for 1983–84 onwards are as listed.