§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many allegations of corruption have been reported to the head of internal audit at ECGD; how many of these allegations have been passed on to NCIS; and whether these are in relation to contracts that have already received support from the ECGD, or to contracts on which the ECGD is being asked for support. [132372]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienECGD has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NCIS, relating to the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. This Act came into force in February 2002. Since that time 291W the Head of Internal Audit and Assurance has dealt with five allegations of corruption, all of which have been referred to NCIS.
It would not be appropriate for me to provide any information in relation to the cases concerned as there is a risk that this may encourage speculation or allow the identification of individual cases, which may prejudice any possible action by the relevant investigatory agencies.