§ 2. Mr. Llew Smith (Blaenau Gwent)Pursuant to his Department's letter of 1 June, when he expects to have completed the collation of data relating to European moneys allocated to Gwent tertiary college for each individual project. [45898]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain)I shall continue to give my hon. Friend all the information that I can. 1 strongly support the chairman and new principal of the college in today calling in the fraud investigation and inspection unit to investigate, in liaison with police, the receipt and allocation of European social funds by the college in 1995 and 1996. I expect a thorough inquiry to be conducted, with robust and vigorous action taken against anyone found responsible for any wrongdoing. From the time when I was informed of the history of serious mismanagement of the college, I have been determined to ensure that the college is re-established on a basis of high educational standards, sound finance and good management.
§ Mr. SmithThe Minister will be aware that, for many months now, I have been requesting information on the European funds that have gone to Gwent tertiary college and on the individual amounts of European money—which should have been matched by the college—that have gone to individual projects across Gwent. He will be aware also that I have requested information on correspondence that went to the corporation, in June 1997, warning it that use of the European funds would not stand up to serious audit, and requesting information on what action had been taken.
Until now, the Minister has failed or refused to provide me with that information. When will I receive that information, which is being demanded not only by me and other hon. Members but by the college's staff and students, the general public and those who are involved in the projects? The demand is justified—especially given that the Labour Government are quite rightly committed to a freedom of information Act.
§ Mr. HainI remind my hon. Friend that I have repeatedly invited him to come to the Department and discuss and clarify with me, and officials from my Department and from the Department for Education and Employment, exactly what information he requires. There is now a serious fraud investigation at Gwent college. I hope my hon. Friend will join me in ensuring that the investigation is conducted speedily, and that its outcome re-establishes the college, so that it has the local community's full confidence in providing education services, as it should be doing.