Written question asked by Jenny Willott (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2008. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 July 2008 on behalf of the Treasury.

Fraud

Question: (4) what estimate he has made of the losses to his Department from fraud committed by staff in the child trust fund system in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;

Answer: There have been no prosecutions or internal disciplinary cases on the basis of fraud in HM Treasury for any of the last 10 years other than in 2006. The procedures for investigating cases of fraud were initiated less than five times in 2006. Exact numbers are therefore not available on the grounds of confidentiality.Prior to 2005, the Treasury only kept records of disciplinary cases that were proven. Information on fraud cases that were initiated but not proven is not available.Estimates for losses incurred by HM Treasury are not available and cannot be provided because this would involve disproportionate cost.

Secondary information