§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement concerning the Audit Commission's report, "Ensuring Probity in the NHS"; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaloneWe welcome the report's comments that the majority of national health service employees and contractors are honest and diligent. The level of losses through fraud are small compared with the huge amount spent on the health service. We have already taken a number of steps to safeguard NHS funds but have asked the NHS executive to scrutinise the report to see whether any further action is necessary.