HC Deb 28 January 2004 vol 417 cc394-5W
Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will investigate the(a) adequacy of the grounds and (b) quality of decision-making in her Department in pursuing prosecutions of contractors for alleged fraudulent claims or other irregularities relating to the claims made for the work undertaken for or on behalf of her Department in respect of foot and mouth disease. [150561]

Mr. Bradshaw

The prosecution of contractors for alleged fraudulent claims is a criminal matter. In such cases, Defra would refer the matter to the appropriate authorities tasked with deciding whether to prosecute or not.

On the civil side, claims are initiated on the advice of Defra's lawyers. In the commercial disputes pertaining to the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 this advice has been provided by external commercial law firms in conjunction with forensic accountants and quantity surveyors after detailed review of contractor accounts. In many cases Defra has been successful in resolving disputes through negotiation and/or alternative disputes resolution procedures. Other disputes are being pursued through the Courts.

Defra has a public law duty to protect the public purse. It will do so unfailingly in all circumstances where the evidence is sufficient to meet legal requirements in either a civil or criminal context.

Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total payments made to date to contractors in respect of works commissioned by(a) her Department and (b) its predecessor, carried out in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001 are. [150563]

Mr. Bradshaw

Total payments of £1,247 million have been made to date to contractors in respect of works commissioned by the Department carried out in relation to the foot and mouth epidemic in 2001.

Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations have been made to her Department concerning the intimidation of contractors and their representatives by officials of her Department in pursuit of reducing or discounting the value of invoices or claims made by them in respect of services provided to her Department in relation to the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic. [150566]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group has drawn the Department's attention to one case where a contractor has alleged intimidating and inappropriate communications from Defra.

To date, Defra has not received any evidence in support of the allegation that intimidation of contractors and their representatives has taken place.

Any such representations would be considered on their merits having regard to the motives of those persons making such representations.