§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 11 January 1999,Official Report, column 23, if she will list (a) the countries and (b) the projects in respect of which overseas expenditure was misappropriated through corruption or fraud in 1996–97 and 1997–98; what prosecutions have taken place in respect of these amounts, and with what outcome; and if any of the money has been recovered. [66595]
§ Clare ShortIn each of the following projects the amount shown was not properly accounted for and we have concluded that this was, or may have been, due to fraud. To date no prosecutions have been mounted and none of the money has been recovered although some locally engaged staff have been dismissed in two of these cases. Investigations are still proceeding into each of the 1997–98 cases. I cannot of course give details of these ongoing cases which could prejudice any proceedings which might take place.
1996–97: Zambia: Health and Population Sector, £6,287. The loss from a locally operated imprest account was investigated thoroughly but there was insufficient evidence against any individual for a successful prosecution. Arrangements for financial management have since been tightened.
1997–98: (1) Bangladesh: Population and Health Consortium, £45,633; (2) Kenya: National Museums, £1,000. The figure for 1997–98 in my answer of 11 January 1999 included an estimated amount of £11,660 which has since been fully and properly accounted for.