If he will make a statement on the recent performance of the National Audit Office.

In the past financial year, the National Audit Office published 61 major reports across public expenditure programmes to Parliament, audited more than 570 accounts and provided advice and support to the Committee of Public Accounts and other Select Committees. That work led to savings for the taxpayer of £515 million—a return of more than £8 for every £1 it cost to run the National Audit Office. In the 2005–06 financial year, the National Audit Office has so far published 30 major reports and audited more than 400 accounts.

Were it not for the good work of the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee, would not this wasteful Government have wasted hundreds of millions of pounds more?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that, in my present position, I do not want to get involved in party politics—[Hon. Members: "Oh, go on."]—but I will say that all Governments are masters of spending public money but often far less proficient at ensuring that that translates into better public services. Basic errors are repeated time and again, despite fine words and earnest assurances to the Committee of Public Accounts. Many public services are chronically marred by deadening complexity and bureaucracy, there is a continuing lack of leadership and drive, and Government Departments still disregard common and well-publicised pitfalls when they approach projects. My Committee will continue to ensure that we receive value for money for every pound spent.

The National Audit Office has frequently drawn attention to deficiencies in defence procurement. In that light, will the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the commission has discussed with the apparently soon-to-be-abolished Advisory Committee on Business Appointments whether the 344 civil servants and Ministers who have left government and entered the defence-related industries have improved or diminished the value for money obtained in defence procurement?

It is certainly true that there is an increasing and complex interface between the public and private sectors. My Committee will carefully scrutinise all Departments and Ministries of State carefully to ensure that those who leave the public sector allow a reasonable period of time to elapse before they enter the private sector, so that there is no risk of corruption or of people using information that they have obtained in the public service to further their own careers.