Q151 Nigel Griffiths: I want to say what is in the minds of all the Committee. You have been an outstanding public servant and you have given outstanding service. When I first joined this Committee in the 1990s, it was a great eye opener. The expertise that you have helped build up that is there in the National Audit Office I think is the envy of the world and second to none. I certainly, as a minister, was very grateful for the open access you gave me and my civil servants for advice, mainly on how not to fall into holes and how to achieve best practice. When I ceased to be a minister, one of my decisions to apply to come back on this Committee was to absorb even more from you. I am sorry it has been too short a period. I greatly look forward to our dinner next week and also, if you think you are going to have a quiet retirement, I think I will be on the phone from time to time to tap into your undoubted expertise.
Sir John Bourn: I would welcome that, thank you.
Q152 Mr Williams: After 22 years on the front bench, I sought refuge in the Committee of Public Accounts 17 years ago and it is the best decision I have ever made. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and so much of it has been dependent on the work of you and your colleagues. Also, I am personally very grateful that in several cases that I have brought you some have come to this Committee as full reports. I know you deal with about 100 cases with MPs in a year which most people do not realise, so we are beholden to you for work outside this Committee as well as in. I paid my tributes at some length in the House last week. It was genuinely meant. How many people can say: "I am going now but I will leave behind savings of two thirds of a billion this year"? I said you can be very proud of it. I hope you are proud.
Sir John Bourn: Chairman, Members of the Committee, I am really grateful for and touched by all you have said. I have enjoyed being the Comptroller and Auditor General. I have enjoyed working with the Committee. I have enjoyed also the way in which you have supported me and supported my independence. It has never been the case that, unlike many of my colleagues in other jurisdictions, the legislative committee sees the Auditor General as an enemy. You have not seen me as an enemy. You have not always agreed with what has come forward but you have always respected my right to do that and always stood behind me and recognised that the external auditor should speak as he finds, without fear. You have supported me in all that with my colleagues. The successes that we have achieved are joint successes between the Chairman and your predecessors, David Davis and Robert Sheldon, and other Members of the Committee over the years. I am most grateful for all the help and support that I have had from you over 20 years. Thank you all very much.
Chairman: Perhaps we can show our appreciation. (Applause). Thank you.