(1)The Audit Commission may, at the request of a magistrates' courts committee, undertake or promote comparative and other studies—
(a)designed to enable the Commission to make recommendations for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the performance of the committee’s functions, and
(b)for improving the financial or other management of the committee.
(2)Any magistrates' courts committee which has requested a study in accordance with subsection (1) above, and any officer or member of such a committee, shall provide the Audit Commission, or any person authorised by it, with such information as it or he may reasonably require for the carrying out of the study.
(3)The Audit Commission shall charge the magistrates' courts committee concerned such fees for any study carried out under subsection (1) above as will cover the full cost of carrying it out.
(4)In this section “the Audit Commission” means the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales.