A new office is being sought for the Auditor General after her current accommodation was deemed "woefully inadequate and insecure".

Works Minister Derrick Burgess has agreed to expedite Heather Jacobs Matthews' request for suitable premises, according to a report by MPs from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Office of the Auditor General.

Mrs. Jacobs Matthews and her predecessor Larry Dennis had long complained about the state of their Victoria Hall office, which is said to be so cramped it's difficult to store confidential files. The committee, chaired by Government backbencher Walter Lister, stated: "Your committee fully supports the Auditor General in her efforts to find suitable and secure accommodations for her office.

"This issue was also raised in the review of the office, noting that the woefully inadequate and insecure space currently housing the office presents a major security risk, particularly with respect to sensitive and confidential information held by the office.

"Your committee can report that a recent meeting of the Minister of Works and Engineering, the chairman and the Auditor General was held to discuss a solution to this issue.

"Your committee is pleased to report that the Minister has agreed to progress this matter as expeditiously as possible."

The report says funding is also being provided to catch up on 18,000 hours of audit work in 63 outstanding accounts which have not been presented for audit. The Ministry of Finance is committing cash so outside accounting firms can be brought in to help. Meanwhile extra staff will be appointed following a review by a former Deputy Auditor General of British Columbia, commissioned by Mrs. Jacobs Matthews when she took over last September.

New positions will be two audit principals who will plan and direct audits and an administrative support role, while four posts currently held by temporary staff will be made permanent.

A comprehensive and sustainable training and development programme will also be put in place for Bermudian audit staff.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr. Lister also said all parties are now satisfied following Mrs. Jacobs Matthews' complaint that she was denied full access to Government's computerised financial system.

He said the committee had met with the auditor, Financial Secretary and Accountant General to "clarify the events which preceded the auditor's lack of access".

Mr. Lister said: "The standing committee is pleased to report that this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

"The committee wishes to stress that the Auditor General is entitled to have unrestricted access, at all times, to audit all aspects of the Government's Financial Information Management Systems.

"The committee also recommends that, should there be any disruption to that access for whatever reason, this must be immediately communicated to the Auditor General and the Financial Secretary, and resolved as quickly as possible."