New clause 2 - Fraud
State Pension Credit Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere, Conservative)
I was about to bring my remarks to a close before we adjourned for lunch. I was talking about individual learning accounts, about which my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) memorably asked the Deputy Prime Minister at Prime Minister's questions. The lesson that we must learn from the problems that arose with ILAs is that there is no room for complacency. If we do not scrutinise such provisions with the right degree of rigour, a great deal of fraud may suddenly come to light. That is what happened with ILAs, which had to be precipitately withdrawn.
Having highlighted the dangers that we face, I should say that I am grateful to the Minister for his remarks. As in other areas, we shall hold the Government to account as regards fraud. On that basis, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.
Motion and clause, by leave, withdrawn.