§ Mr. Leeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated loss from 1st January 1973 to the latest convenient date of Common Market funds caused by fraud; how much of this loss is attributable to the British budgetary and other financial contributions to the EEC; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettHer Majesty's Government attach great importance to the prevention of fraud involving Community funds and I can assure my hon. Friend that we take every opportunity of emphasising in the Council of Ministers the need for sound financial control over Community expenditures. I therefore welcome the recent report by the Commission's Special Committee of Inquiry into methods for preventing frauds involving certain expenditures from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). We shall ensure that the report's conclusions are given full weight.
It is not possible for the United Kingdom Government to make reliable estimates of any losses caused to Community funds by fraud.