25(1)The Board must—E+W
(a)keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts, and
(b)prepare in respect of each financial year a statement of accounts.
(2)Each statement of accounts must comply with any directions given by the Lord Chancellor, with the approval of the Treasury, as to—
(a)the information to be contained in it and the manner in which it is to be presented;
(b)the methods and principles according to which the statement is to be prepared;
(c)the additional information (if any) which is to be provided for the information of Parliament.
(3)The Board must give a copy of each statement of accounts—
(a)to the Lord Chancellor, and
(b)to the Comptroller and Auditor General,
before the end of the month of August next following the financial year to which the statement relates.
(4)The Comptroller and Auditor General must—
(a)examine, certify and report on each statement of accounts which is received under sub-paragraph (3), and
(b)give a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report to the Lord Chancellor.
(5)In respect of each financial year, the Lord Chancellor must lay before Parliament a document consisting of—
(a)a copy of the statement of accounts for that year, and
(b)a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on that statement.
(6)“Financial year” means—
(a)the period beginning with the day on which the Board is established and ending with the next following 31 March, and
(b)each successive period of 12 months.