§ Lord Hoosonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimated cost of fraud in the National Health Service in England and Wales between 1980 118WA and 1993; and how much of the said money has been recovered.
§ The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The cost of fraud is not separately identified in the accounts or the losses and special payments returns submitted by National Health Service units in either England or Wales. However, a recent Audit Commission report, a copy of which is available in the Library, said that the level of proven fraud and corruption in the NHS was very low.