18(1)The Commission must—
(a)keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to its accounts, and
(b)prepare in respect of each financial year a statement of accounts.
(2)Each statement of accounts must comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State with the approval of the Treasury as to—
(a)the information to be contained in it and the manner in which it is to be presented;
(b)the methods and principles according to which the statement is to be prepared;
(c)the additional information (if any) which is to be provided for the information of Parliament.
(3)The Commission must send a copy of each statement of accounts—
(a)to the Secretary of State, and
(b)to the Comptroller and Auditor General,
before the end of the month of August next following the financial year to which the statement relates.
(4)The Comptroller and Auditor General must—
(a)examine, certify and report on each statement of accounts received under sub-paragraph (3), and
(b)send a copy of each report and certified statement to the Secretary of State.
(5)The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a copy of each report and statement sent under sub-paragraph (4)(b).
(6)In this paragraph, “financial year” means—
(a)the period beginning with the date on which the Commission is established and ending with the next following 31st March, and
(b)each successive period of 12 months.