To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date [27767]

[holding answer 5 February 1998]: The cost of fraud and theft to The Scottish Office was £24,644 in 1995–96, £30,935 in 1996–97 and £41,054 in 1997–98 to date, of which £14,573, £8,745 and £19,196 respectively related to Scottish Office agencies. Figures for non-departmental public bodies are not held centrally.