§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money the Department has paid contractors for foot and mouth related work; and how much further money is owed. [58063]
§ Mr. MorleyBy 24 May 2002 DEFRA and the Rural Payments Agency had spent over £1,100 million on goods and services to eradicate the disease.
Quantity surveyors, forensic accountants and claims surveyors are currently verifying and substantiating contractor accounts.
Wide ranging issues have arisen on the accounts. These include legal issues such as matters of contractual interpretation, forensic accountancy issues and evidential issues involving the assessment of both a large amount of documentation and proofing of witnesses. Some of these disputes will inevitably result in court proceedings, although DEFRA remains committed to resolving matters by mediation where appropriate.
In these circumstances it is not possible at present for reasons of legal and commercial confidentiality to disclose how much, if any, further money is owed.