§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the grades of the members of staff suspended in the Exeter office of the Department for 59WA Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 August as part of an investigation into expenses claims during the foot and mouth epidemic; and [HL1130]
When Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs were first informed that members of staff had been suspended on 13 August as part of an investigation into expenses claims during the foot and mouth epidemic; and why no subsequent announcement was made to either the Devon County Council inquiry or to Parliament; and [HL1131]
What items of equipment have gone missing from the Exeter office of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which could be relevant to the foot and mouth outbreak; and whether any records relating to the outbreak have been lost; and [HL1132]
Whether members of staff in any office of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs other than the Exeter office have been or are under investigation into expenses claims during the foot and mouth epidemic or into the loss of equipment; and [HL1133]
What sums of public money are involved in the investigation at the Exeter office of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs into expenses claims during the foot and mouth epidemic; and [HL1134]
Whether the police have been informed of the investigation at the Exeter office of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs into expenses claims during the foot and mouth epidemic; and if so, when. [HL1135]
§ Lord WhittyEighteen members of staff who had been based at Exeter are suspended from duty while the department carries out its own internal criminal investigation concerning expenses claims. An investigation into missing equipment is also being carried out. The police have not been advised as my staff have the power to deal with criminal matters. As the investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.