§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the frauds taking place in the EEC common agriculture grants system, he will initiate discussions with his EEC colleagues, with a view to eliminating them.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWe have been playing a full part in the concerted action which the Community is taking to improve the safeguards against fraud. It is for member States to take action against frauds in their territories but the Commission co-ordinates their efforts and examines the accounts of spending in each country. The new European Court of Auditors provides a further check and a source of expert advice on control methods. Officials of my Department, together with representatives of the Customs authorities and intervention agencies of all members, meet regularly in Brussels to exchange information and this enables the Commission to initiate preventative action throughout the Community, where necessary. The financial 673W reports issued annually by the Commission on the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund contain information on action taken in various cases. The reports show the importance which is attached to the campaign against frauds.