§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non departmental public bodies, in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii)1997–98 to date. [27732]
§ Clare Short(a) The Department for International Development submits an annual return to the Treasury of suspected and proven fraud, including attempted fraud. Figures are as follows:
- 1995–96: £19,756
- 1996–97: £11,262
- 1997–98 to date: £5,177.
The cost of theft is:
- 1995–96: £10,000
- 1996–97: £22,000
- 1997–98 to date: £1,825.
(b) The Department has no agencies.
(c) In the case of public bodies for which DFID is currently responsible, the cost of theft and fraud combined is as follows:
- 1995–96: £27,100
- 1996–97: £65,500
- 1997–98 to date: £12,100.
These figures relate to the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) and include frauds and theft where the loss was over £7,500. Details of thefts from the CDC's overseas businesses prior to 31 December 1995 are not available.