The Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Annual report and accounts

13.—(1) The Commission shall prepare in respect of the period ending on 31st March 1998 and in respect of each subsequent financial year a report on the Commission’s activities during that period or year (“the annual report”).

(2) The annual report shall include a general survey of developments, during the period to which it relates, in respect of matters falling within the scope of the Commission’s functions.

14.—(1) The Commission shall keep proper accounts in such form as may be approved by the Department, and proper records in relation to the accounts, and shall prepare in respect of the period ending on 31st March 1998 and in respect of each subsequent financial year a statement of accounts in such form as the Department, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, may direct.

(2) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited by auditors appointed by the Commission with the approval of the Department and shall be vouched to the satisfaction of the auditors.

15.—(1) The Commission shall, before 31st May in each year, transmit to the Department and the Comptroller and Auditor-General a document (referred to below as “the annual report and accounts of the Commission”) containing—

(a) a copy of the annual report prepared under paragraph 13; and 0

(b) a copy, certified by the auditors, of the annual statement of accounts prepared under paragraph 14.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor-General—

(a) shall examine the copy of the annual statement of accounts of the Commission;

(b) may, in connection with such examination, examine any accounts kept by the Commission and any records relating to the accounts; and

(c) shall make a report on the copy of the annual statement of accounts and send the report to the Department.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), a copy of—

(a) the annual report and accounts of the Commission; and

(b) the report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General under sub-paragraph (2)(c),

shall be laid by the Department before the Assembly.

(4) During the interim period (as defined in section 1(4) of the [1974 c. 28.] Northern Ireland Act 1974) the copies mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) shall, instead, be sent by the Department to the Secretary of State and laid by him before Parliament.

(5) The Department, or where sub-paragraph (4) applies, the Secretary of State shall cause the annual report and accounts of the Commission to be published.