BBC 'open to regular NAO audits'

The BBC Trust has expressed its willingness to allow the National Audit Office (NAO) to more regularly examine the corporation's accounts.

Speaking to the House Of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC), BBC Trustee Jeremy Peat said that the BBC needs an auditor with a variety of experience "covering media, international matters, commercial matters".

In an effort to achieve greater levels of transparency, Peat said that the Trust would consider the NAO taking on such a role when it next comes round for tender.

''We would be very happy to consider the NAO as our auditor if they wish to tender for contract when it is next renewed, which is likely to be around 2012," he told the MPs.

"They would of course need to demonstrate they were the best people... reporting to the BBC and the Trust.''

The NAO, which audits all central government accounts, recently completed a review of the BBC's management of three major building projects worth £2 billion in total.

In its report, the auditor criticised the BBC for allowing the redevelopment of Broadcasting House in London to run £100m overbudget and four years late.

However, BBC director general Mark Thompson told the committee that the corporation has now improved controls on the Broadcasting House development, along with projects at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and BBC North in Salford.

When asked whether the BBC may be interested in taking over the Olympic media centre after the Games finish in 2012, Thompson said that the corporation is not looking to expand its London footprint.

"Much of our output and the majority of our production by the end of this charter period will be outside London," he said.

"We are not looking to acquire new facilities in London. We are shrinking our facilities in London."