HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 c369W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use his Department has made of private detective agencies or investigators during 1995–96 and 1994–95; what agencies have been employed; for what purposes; and what cost to his Department. [30565]

Sir John Wheeler

During 1995–95 and 1994–95, the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments have used detective agencies or investigators on the following occasions:

  1. (1) serving six debt enforcement orders;
  2. (2) gathering evidence in relation to an enforcement action against the unauthorised change of use of a property;
  3. (3) investigating seven public or employers liability claims;
  4. (4) investigating two industrial injury claims;
  5. (5) work in relation to an appraisal of a project for which grant assistance had been sought;
  6. at a total cost of £17,861.

Names of the detective agencies have not been disclosed on grounds of confidentiality and security.