asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the evidence given at the Old Bailey trial affecting Garry Harrison, former professional and technical officer with the Property Services Agency, and the allegations of bribery and corruption within this service made at the trial, he will set up a full and completely independent investigation into all aspects of the Property Services Agency, its officers, and the organisation which this agency replaced.

I take a serious view of corruption or alleged corruption in my Department. I am commissioning an independent review of the Property Services Agency's internal procedures for safeguarding against financial misconduct. I shall announce details shortly.