§ Lord Hoosonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the European Parliament has made use of its powers under Article 138c of the Maastricht Treaty to set up a temporary committee of inquiry into alleged contraventions of maladministration in the implementation of Community law; and, if so, whether it has been used successfully in the fight against fraud.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)The European Parliament has so far made no use of its powers under Article 138c of the Maastricht Treaty. The European Parliament is considering a proposal from the British MEP for Wight and Hampshire South (Mr. Roy Perry) to set up a temporary committee of inquiry to examine cases of fraud against the Community budget.