HL Deb 30 June 1988 vol 498 cc1818-9WA
Lord Moran

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(a) How many writs were issued in each of the last three years under the Prevention of Corruption Acts and the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act for the prosecution of:

  1. (i) Local authority elected officers
  2. (ii) Local authority employees
  3. (iii) Employees of the Property Services Agency; and

(b) How many such cases are presently under consideration by the Serious Fraud Office or the Fraud Investigation Group of the Crown Prosecution Service Headquarters, and approximately what sums are involved for each category of individual listed at (a) above.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)

Of the very small number of cases being prosecuted by, or which are under consideration by, the Serious Fraud Office, none involves allegations of corruption against persons in any of the categories to which the noble Lord refers. The great majority of allegations of corruption are handled by the Crown Prosecution Service. Separate records are not maintained of the employment of defendants, or of persons in respect of whom allegations have been made. In order to obtain the information required to answer the Question, it would therefore be necessary to examine all the relevant files. This could only be done at disproportionate cost.