Oral Answers to Questions

Sheryll Murray Excerpts

Monday 17th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con)]

2. How many local authorities have published details of their spending online to date.

[Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

4. How many local authorities have published online details of their spending over £500 to date.

[Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con)]

9. How many local authorities have published online details of their spending over £500 to date.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Pickles]

As my hon. Friend will know, my Department has published those figures, and that has certainly changed our attitude. There is no possibility that, as under our predecessors, we will order lots of expensive Parisian sofas, a peace pod or special, high-quality chocolates for the Secretary of State—Mrs Pickles is probably pleased about that. We recognise that we must account for every single penny.

[Sheryll Murray]

When councils publish details of any spending over £500, will they also publish the date on which the decision to initiate that spending was taken, so that the public can see clearly when it was taken so that accountability is not misplaced when administrations change?

[Mr Pickles]

We will fairly soon be publishing guidance on what is expected. We were clear that we were keen to see the raw data out there. My hon. Friend should easily be able to obtain such information through freedom of information or by writing directly to the authorities. It is important that local authorities are accountable, as we are, for the money that they spend. I look forward to seeing more local authorities publishing their spending online.