Main aspects of the National Audit Office's Methodology

In undertaking this examination we:

■  Designed the examination using experience acquired on earlier studies of privatisations and Private Finance Initiative projects;

■  Reviewed information from the Department's staff, advisers and records about the background to the PPP, the conduct of the selection process, and the formal Partnership agreements;

■  Met with NATS, the Partnership Directors and the Airline Group to understand how the PPP structure has performed since signature, particularly the effects of September 11th 2001 and its aftermath;

■  Used external expertise to advise us on best practice in Corporate Governance issues in joint ventures; and

■  Obtained the views of parties participating in the selection process and of interested parties in the aviation industry.