150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE POSITION OF COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL

That this House commemorates the 150th anniversary of the creation of the position of Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), an Officer of the House, resulting from the passage of the Exchequer and Audit Act 1866; notes that Act, which entrusted the C&AG with responsibility for auditing the financial accounts produced by each government department, marked a pivotal moment in achieving financial accountability of government, which until then had been lacking sufficient and consistent scrutiny, hampering Parliament's oversight of public expenditure; places on record its appreciation for all those who have served as C&AG over the last 150 years and acknowledges the work done by the present C&AG, Sir Amyas Morse, and his staff at the National Audit Office who have helped create over £5.5 billion in savings across the public sector over the last five years; further notes that Sir Amyas Morse and the National Audit Office play a vital role supporting Parliament to hold the Government to account for the value for money of public spending and the services it provides; and notes that accountability to Parliament for taxpayers' money is an inextricable part of good public management and democratic government which remains as important now as it ever has been.