§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the report by the European Commission on controls over the budget of the European Community Humanitarian Office and the misuse of funds by aid agencies. [57919]
§ Clare ShortThe Government are very concerned at the recent allegations of fraud within the Commission notably in the EC Humanitarian Office (ECHO). We are strongly committed to fighting fraud inside the Community institutions by the most effective machinery that can be devised.
The Commission's anti-fraud unit takes the lead in fraud investigations. We take a close interest in the work of the unit in the fight against fraud and strongly support measures to improve its effectiveness. We will look carefully at the European Parliament's ideas for an independent fraud office and at any proposals brought forward by the Commission.