§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of fraud or financial irregularities in the use of UK funds to combat the opium trade in Afghanistan. [118705]
§ Mr. RammellWe receive reports on all aspects of efforts to combat the opium trade in Afghanistan and are aware of suggestions that UK funds for counter drugs work in Afghanistan may have been misused. The Government take all reasonable measures to guard against fraud and financial irregularity in the use of public funds. All public expenditure, including that in respect of counter drugs work in Afghanistan, is subject to the established scrutiny procedures of parliamentary committees and the National Audit Office.