8.—(1) Paragraph 19 of Schedule 4 to the Hallmarking Act 1973(1) (accounts of the British Hallmarking Council) is amended as follows.
(2) In sub-paragraph (1) omit the words from “and” to the end.
(3) After that sub-paragraph insert—
“(1A) Their accounts for each year ending on or before 31st December 2002 shall be audited by the auditors appointed by the Council.
(1B) The Council shall send their accounts for each subsequent year to the Comptroller and Auditor General as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the year to which the accounts relate.
(1C) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall examine, certify and report on any accounts sent to him under sub-paragraph (1B).
(1D) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall lay before each House of Parliament a copy of any accounts sent to him under sub-paragraph (1B), together with his report on them.”.