47. Mr. Jessellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now seek to recruit additional professional staff to the fraud squad.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe recruitment and disposition of police officers within each force is a matter for chief officers of police. Arrangements exist for the police to secure professional advice in the investigation of fraud through the fraud investigation group, which is operated by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Proposals are currently under consideration in the Criminal Justice Bill to build on these arrangements in establishing a Serious Fraud Office which will work with the police in the investigation of serious or complex frauds and will provide specialist professional expertise.