Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill — Clause 40 — Remuneration package of the Comptroller and Auditor General — 4 Nov 2009 at 18:00

The majority of MPs voted against an amendment of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill intended to require the details of the Remuneration package of the Comptroller and Auditor General to be published monthly online. Conservative David Gauke (Shadow Minister, Treasury; and MP for South West Hertfordshire) moved the amendment (no. 57) which was the subject of the vote. The amendment proposed changing clause 40, page 20, line 20 of the bill and at end inserting:

'(10) All remuneration, allowances and expenses in relation to P must be published monthly online.'.

Clause 40(1) of the bill stated "The person (“P”) who is the Comptroller and Auditor General".

Six monthly voluntary disclosures of the Comptroller and Auditor General's hospitality and expenses are currently available via the National Audit Office website the government argued these disclosures, on a voluntary basis, were sufficient.

In April 2007 a Freedom of Information request by Private Eye Magazine resulted in the revelation of the then Comptroller and Auditor General's expenses. The expenses released included £365,000 on travel and accommodation and almost £27,000 at restaurants over three years. [1][2]

• 'Spendthrift' public spending watchdog to retire, The Times, London, October 26, 2007.
• House of Commons Research Paper on the Comptroller and Auditor General

The Committee divided: Ayes 201, Noes 274.

Debate in Parliament | Source |