MP calls on Ken Clarke to sort out “disgraceful” Courts Service
“Ken Clarke will need to take off his hush puppies and put some heavy boots on to sort this one out.”
Richard Bacon MP
Commenting on the disqualification by the National Audit Office (NAO) of the HM Courts Service accounts, South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, a Conservative member of the public accounts committee, said:
“This is a disgraceful position for the Courts Service to have reached. It is true that the Libra computer system is both expensive and useless but we have known this for many years (see here: Cost of Courts' IT system triples) and public bodies still have a duty to keep proper records. We are now looking at a possible £1.4 billion loss in uncollected fines and penalties partly because of the longstanding shambles that passes for record-keeping in the courts service.”
“For centuries, people have kept accurate records and accounts using pen and paper. This could still be done now if needed and if there were sufficient will to do it.”
Disqualification is the auditor’s nuclear button. It is far, far worse than a qualified opinion by the auditor on some aspect of the accounts. The NAO is saying that the Courts Service cannot produce the most basic information which the auditors need to do their job.”
“Ken Clarke will need to take off his hush puppies and put some heavy boots on to sort this one out.”
15 December 2011
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