§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for what reason the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team were re-opened on the 9 November, and who had responsibility for this decision; [67718]
(2) for what reason the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices were shut down and sealed between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and what was the purpose of the closure; [67755]
(3) what proportion of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team was kept on full pay during the closure of their offices between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and what was the total cost of employing the unit staff during this period; [67720]
(4) what action was taken during the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices to protect the evidence held there from being tampered with by those who had access to the premises during the period of closure; [67757]
(5) how many of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's cases which were pending on 12 October have been dropped since the offices re-opened on 9 November; and what are the reasons for these cases having been dropped; [67719]
(6) who had access to the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team during its closure between 12 October and 9 November 1998; what visits were carried out during the closure; and what was the purpose of each such visit; [67756]
(7) whether any action was taken following the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team offices against any employees of the unit; [67717]
(8) what was the total cost of the closure of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team's offices between 12 October and 9 November 1998; [67721]
(9) which ministers in his Department were aware of the decision to shut down and seal the offices of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team between 12 October and 9 November 1998; and who was responsible for this decision; [67754]
§ Mr. TimmsWhile this Department provides support, including funding, the Association of London Government (ALG) is responsible for the management of the London Organised Fraud Investigation Team (LOFIT). The ALG established a management committee to carry out this function on which this Department had observer status.
418WDecisions on all aspects of the management of LOFIT, including access to the premises, finance and personnel matters and handling of outstanding cases, were for the ALG to make as the managing body. The decision to close LOFIT down was taken by the ALG. The Secretary of State and the then Minister of State were made aware of the ALG's decision.