§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much in586W outstanding claims against her Department is owed in respect of clean-up operations on farms affected by foot and mouth disease. [76841]
§ Margaret BeckettIt is not possible at this time to reveal details of these claims for reasons of commercial confidentiality and legal privilege. Defra is pursuing the recommendation in the NAO report on the 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease concerned with the urgent pursuit of those cases where my Department believed it was overcharged for goods and services. Irregularities in contractors' claims are being investigated and resolved as quickly as possible. We have an obligation to ensure proper accounting methods are applied to valid invoices submitted. We have no intention of simply paying Invoices and claims that cannot be properly accounted for.