Inter-ministerial Group on Countering Fraud

HC Deb 02 May 2000 vol 349 cc37-8W

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) of 17 April 2000,Official Report, column 403W, on the Inter-ministerial Group for Older People, if he will publish the same information for the Inter-ministerial Group on Countering Fraud. [120243]

Mr. Rooker

The membership of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Welfare Fraud is as followsThe right hon. Jeff Rooker—Minister of State, Department of Social Security Nick Raynsford—Minister of State, Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions The right hon. Tessa Jowell—Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment The right hon. Richard Caborn—Minister of State, Department for Trade and Industry Mike O'Brien—Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department Lord Hunt—Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health David Lock—Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department Dawn Primarolo—Paymaster General, Her Majesty's Treasury Brian Wilson—Minister of State, Scotland Office David Hanson—Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales.

The Group's remit was set out in the Green Paper "Beating fraud is everyone's business" published in July 1998.

We do not routinely reveal dates of meetings or the content of discussion between groups of Ministers as this could inhibit the necessary free and frank exchange of views within Government. However, we will do so where such an exchange of views would not be inhibited.

I refer my right hon. Friend to my Written Answer on 17 April 2000, Official Report, columns 403-04W.