§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions the Italian company Simmel has been investigated in relation to United Kingdom procurement fraud; and what action was taken. [20459]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotFollowing an investigation by the Ministry of Defence police fraud squad which commenced in early 1991, James Taylor—a MOD civil servant—was convicted of corruptly agreeing with an agent for Simmel SPA to accept payment by Simmel for hotel accommodation in Venice for himself and his wife to the value of £880. On 22 December 1993 Taylor was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and ordered to pay £13,500 prosecution costs. A confiscation order for £32,710 was also made. He received concurrent sentences on five other counts of corruptly receiving £24,000 from Gordon Foxley. On the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service no action was taken against Simmel or its agent.