Criminal Injuries Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 2002

Reports, accounts and financial records

8.—(1) As soon as possible after the end of each financial year, the Secretary of State shall make an annual report on the operation of the Scheme during that financial year.

(2) The Scheme shall include provision—

(a)for such person as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to make an annual report to him on the operation of those provisions of the Scheme which relate to the appeal system; and

(b)for the report—

(i)to be made as soon as possible after the end of each financial year; and

(ii)to cover the operation of those provisions during the year to which it relates.

(3) The Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a copy of every annual report made under paragraph (1) or (2).

(4) The Scheme shall also include provision—

(a)for such person as the Secretary of State considers appropriate—

(i)to keep proper accounts in connection with the administration of those provisions of the Scheme which relate to the appeal system;

(ii)to keep proper records in relation to the accounts;

(iii)to prepare a statement of accounts in each financial year in such form as the Secretary of State may direct;

(b)requiring such a statement of accounts to be submitted to the Secretary of State at such time as the Secretary of State may direct.

(5) Where such a statement of accounts is submitted to the Secretary of State, he shall send a copy of it to the Comptroller and Auditor General within one month of receiving it.

(6) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a)examine, certify and report on any statement of accounts sent to him under paragraph (5); and

(b)lay copies of the statement and of his report before each House of Parliament.

(7) In this Article “financial year” means the period beginning with the day on which this Article comes into operation and ending with the following 31st March and each successive period of 12 months.