Theft and Fraud

HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 c161W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional security measures are planned by his Department to deter and detect theft and fraud. [31795]

Mr. MacShane

The FCO's fraud investigation team carry out a programme of visits to overseas posts and Departments in the UK to detect, deter and investigate fraud and financial malpractice. They also train staff in fraud awareness and issue anti-fraud guidance. Our internal auditors also follow a demanding schedule of audits both overseas and in the UK.

The FCO have also introduced new schemes for beating fraud including "whistleblowing" guidance, additional self-audit packages and fraud/malpractice hotline details in pay-slips.