§ 13. Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what evidence he has of an IRA scheme to acquire funds through exploiting the Department of Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland, similar to the operation detected in Great Britain; and what is his estimate of the amount of money involved in such exploitation.
§ Mr. MoyleI have no evidence that the IRA is involved in any scheme to defraud the Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services.
§ Mr. BradfordIs the Minister aware of the amount of money involved in the theft through the Giro cheque misappropriation? Is he also aware of the sum involved on the mainland by way of misappropriation? Is he also aware of the misapprehension shared by many people that the cease-fire will last only as long as it suits the purposes of the IRA, and that the people of Northern Ireland would much prefer attempts to prevent a buildup of IRA resources through the misappropriation about which I have spoken rather than an attempted cure of the horrific application of violence in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. MoyleThe situation in Great Britain is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. I am aware that there are a number of Giro payments going astray in Northern Ireland. My Department is keeping the situation under continual review and my right hon. Friend has promised, as the hon. Gentleman will know, to write to the hon. Gentleman on the subject.
§ Mr. ThorneHas the Minister any evidence to link, as the hon. Member for Belfast, South (Mr. Bradford) did, the matter of Giro cheques with the IRA and with the cease-fire? If so, I think that the House would be interested to hear that evidence.