§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the amount of her Department's expenditure overseas which was misappropriated through corruption or fraud in recipient countries in each of the last three years; and what action her Department takes(a) to monitor such activities and (b) to ensure that consequent losses are minimised. [64800]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe figures requested are as follows: nil in 1995–96; £6,287 in 1996–97, and £58,293 in 1997–98. This Department gives a high priority to ensure regularity, propriety and value for money in the expenditure of aid funds. Departmental staff and aid recipients are required to follow detailed procedures and to keep comprehensive financial records. Where fraud is discovered, staff are expected to take action to recover the amounts lost, and to pursue prosecution wherever possible. Our control systems are under constant review by our internal auditors and are subject to examination by the National Audit Office. Full details of DFID' s procedures for authorising and accounting for expenditure are set out in the Department's Office Instructions, copies of which are in the Library of the House.