5 Sep 2013 : Column 5MC

Ministerial Correction

Thursday 5 September 2013

Defence

Assets

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of (a) thefts, (b) items lost and (c) items lost in transit from his Department's establishments in (i) October 2012, (ii) November 2012, (iii) December 2012, (iv) January 2013, (v) February 2013 and (vi) March 2013; and if he will make a statement. [151681]

[Official Report, 22 April 2013, Vol. 561, c. 623-4W.]

Letter of correction from Mark Francois:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) on 22 April 2013.

The full answer given was as follows:

Mr Francois: The information on thefts is shown in the following table:

 £000

October 2012

48

November 2012

29

December 2012

5

January 2013

263

February 2013

46

March 2013

76

The reason for the high figure in January 2013 was as follows:

Theft of a Tornado Jig Assembly—£193,243

Theft of NVG—£11,573

5 Sep 2013 : Column 6MC

Theft of Military equipment—£36,310

Further information on losses is not available at this stage because accounts information for financial year 2012-13 has not been finalised and is still subject to audit. Losses information recorded in the accounts only distinguishes between culpable losses and other losses of accountable stores. Figures across the Ministry of Defence for losses in transit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Losses of any type are not necessarily recorded in the same month that they occurred. However, it is important that losses are recorded in the correct financial year for accounting purposes.

The correct answer should have been:

Mr Francois: The information on thefts is shown in the following table:

 £000

October 2012

48

November 2012

29

December 2012

5

January 2013

70

February 2013

46

March 2013

76

Further information on losses is not available at this stage because accounts information for financial year 2012-13 has not been finalised and is still subject to audit. Losses information recorded in the accounts only distinguishes between culpable losses and other losses of accountable stores. Figures across the Ministry of Defence for losses in transit could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Losses of any type are not necessarily recorded in the same month that they occurred. However, it is important that losses are recorded in the correct financial year for accounting purposes.