17 September 1999
Bob Black, the current controller of the Accounts Commission, was confirmed as auditor general by a vote of the Scottish Parliament on September 15.
He told Public Finance that he believes the publicly owned water authorities should join the rest of the Scottish Executive under his wing.
'I strongly support moves to have a strong and consistent audit regime across all the devolved budget of the Scottish Parliament. On that principle, there is certainly a case for water authorities to be included,' said Black.
Last week, Scottish finance minister Jack McConnell announced that further education colleges would come under the auditor general's responsibility. There were suggestions that local enterprise companies (Lecs) and universities could be next.
'Lecs and universities are governed by separate legislation. These are issues that need to be looked at in the longer term,' added Black, who will take up his new post before the end of the year.
PFsep1999
