25 January 2010

Mr C Taylor

Via email ([FOI #26622 email])

Our ref: CS/10/001/HJP

(Please quote our reference when contacting us)

If telephoning contact Hilary Pook on 020 7217 4734

or if using email send to: [email address]

Dear Mr Taylor

Request for information

In your email of 8 January, you asked if all expenses claimed by Tony Redmond and Jerry White were independently audited, ie by external auditors. The answer is as follows:

All the transactions are recorded through the accounts and are subject to both internal and external audit examination. But, of course, the auditors do not look at every item in the accounts, as there are thousands. However, the claims are all subject to the same audit exposure and all have to satisfy the rules which govern what can be claimed.

The external auditors provide a certificate regarding their opinion on the accounts. This can be found at the end of the accounts on our web site. (Go to the Annual reports page: http://www.lgo.org.uk/publications/annual-report/)

In addition, the claims are subject to the internal controls which are also subject to independent audit to ensure they operate effectively.

That concludes my response. If you feel I have not dealt properly with your request, you have the right to appeal and, should you wish to do so, I can supply a copy our internal complaints procedure. If you do request an internal review - can you please indicate why you are unhappy with my response. You also have the right to apply to the Information Commissioner to determine whether your request has been properly dealt with. You should note however that the Commissioner will not consider any complaint where you have not first exhausted our internal complaints process or where there has been undue delay in contacting him. You will be able to obtain further details of the Information Commissioner's role from the website on www.ico.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely

Hilary Pook

Hilary Pook (Ms)

Communications and Records Manager

LGO 01 (03/08)