§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many officers are employed in England and Wales by his Department in investigating fraud; and what are the corresponding figures for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. LeeMy Department's fraud investigation work was reorganised in 1984 and comparable figures for earlier years are not available. The number of fraud investigators employed by my Department in each year since 1984 (excluding those employed in Scotland) is as follows:
Number 1984–85 396 1985–86 590 1986–87 651 In addition a number of other staff are engaged, on either a part or full-time basis, as support staff to these investigators.