# = pounds sterling

HM Treasury News Release
165/98                                        13 October 1998
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                GOOD GOVERNMENT NEEDS GOOD AUDIT

DAWN PRIMAROLO WELCOMES PUBLIC AUDIT FORUM


The Public Audit Forum launched today will help to ensure that
taxpayers' money continues to be audited effectively, and that
public audit keeps pace with developments in the delivery of
public services.

Welcoming the launch, Financial Secretary Dawn Primarolo said: 


     "I am delighted that the Public Audit Forum is being
     launched today.

     "The world is changing.  In the UK we are examining new
     ways for delivering public services.  But good audit
     remains crucial  to good government. It is needed to
     demonstrate that taxpayers' money is being spent on what
     Parliament intends, and in a cost-effective way.

     "The Public Audit Forum brings together an authoritative
     cross-section of those involved in public audit. It will
     consider public audit issues relevant to today's world. It
     will be aiming, for example, not only to spread best
     practice but to prevent the burdensome duplication of
     audit, and to ensure that audit practice stays abreast of
     joined-up government and other techniques for delivering
     better services to the public.  

     "The Government is committed to transparency in public
     finances. I am sure that the Public Audit Forum will play
     a full part in promoting openness and understanding in this
     area."






NOTES FOR EDITORS

1.   The consultative Public Audit Forum provides a focus for :

          enhancing the effectiveness of public audit;

          establishing a common approach to such audit; and for 

          considering cross-cutting issues. 

2.   The idea of a forum was proposed in February 1997 in the
     then Government's White Paper 'The Governance of Public
     Bodies : A Progress Report' (Cm 3557). This was a response
     to certain aspects of  Lord Nolan's first two reports. The
     PAF began preliminary work in early 1998 ahead of today's
     formal launch.

3.   The launch today is sponsored by the four national audit
     agencies: the National Audit Office; Audit Commission;
     Accounts Commission for Scotland and the Northern Ireland
     Audit Office). 

4.   In addition to these for bodies, membership of the PAF
     includes representatives of Government departments
     (including the Treasury and the Cabinet Office); the NHS;
     the  accountancy and audit profession; local authorities;
     and the Consumers Association.

5.   The Forum has already produced a paper, "The Principles of
     Public Audit" and issued a consultation document for a
     second paper, "The Service which Auditees can expect from
     Public Auditors". Other areas being examined in the Forum
     include the audit implications of the joined-up government
     initiative.  

6.   Further information about the Public Audit Forum and
     today's launch, including a media information pack, is
     available from the Audit Commission press office on 0171
     930 6077. 

7.   If you have access to the Internet, you can find this press
     release and material on other Treasury issues at
     http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.