§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Minister for Trade what were the claims for expenses by the then chairman of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council for each quarter of 1982.
§ Dr. VaughanI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Minister for Trade which police force is carrying out the police inquiries into the expenses claims of members of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council.
§ Dr. VaughanI understand that the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the chief constable of the West Yorkshire police to carry out inquiries.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Minister for Trade if he has yet appointed the chairman of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council for the three years from 18 January 1983.
§ Dr. VaughanA new chairman will be appointed shortly.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Minister for Trade if his Department's inquiries into the expenses claims of members of the Yorkshire electricity consultative council considered the method and practice of examination and control of such claims by that body and by his Department; if those aspects of his inquiries have been completed; and what conclusions he has reached on them.
§ Dr. VaughanThe Department's arrangements for monitoring expenditure by the nationalised industry consumer councils were reviewed and changed in 1981–82 in advance of our investigation of expense claims in the Yorkshire council. Further changes are planned in the light of that investigation. Points arising in the operation of these departmental controls are being pursued with the council secretariats, which are also being asked to review their internal procedures for the control of travel and subsistence claims.