This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
Letter from Steve Bundred:
Your Parliamentary Question on what assessment the Audit Commission has made of the preparedness of (a) the fire and rescue authorities; and (b) local authorities for an influenza pandemic has been passed to me to reply.
The Audit Commission has made no specific assessment of the preparedness of fire and rescue authorities or local authorities for an influenza pandemic.
Auditors appointed by the Commission undertake an annual use of resources assessment at each fire and rescue authority and local authority. One element of this assessment covers the risk management arrangements in place at the authority and auditors report any significant weaknesses they identify in those arrangements as part of their annual audit reporting.