John Major to Urge EU Leaders to Launch Four-Pronged Attack on Fraud

Strategic Insights -

In a move to ease domestic troubles, John Major, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is expected to urge fellow leaders at the European Union summit in Essen to launch a four-pronged attack on fraud. Despite recent storms within his own party, Major is determined to show Conservative MPs that the Government is pushing for tough cross-European action. The Prime Minister flew to Germany last night, following the unexpectedly early Commons passage of the legislation increasing Britain's contributions to the EU.

Key Takeaways:

  • John Major will push for a four-pronged attack on fraud at the European Union summit in Essen, including cooperation between governments, individual government action, and action through the European Court of Auditors.
  • European fraud is estimated to be as high as £6 billion, with some sources suggesting it could be even higher.
  • The Government has pledged wider parliamentary scrutiny of EU funds, with the Commons public finance watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee, to be given a more powerful role in overseeing Union funds.
  • President Mitterrand will be making his summit farewell, while Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister, has been embroiled in a domestic corruption scandal, and Albert Reynolds, the acting Irish Prime Minister, is soon to be replaced.
  • Major is expected to receive confirmation of a £240 million "peace dividend" grant for Ulster from the EU budget.
  • He will voice concerns over the German plans for a European version of the FBI, called Europol, and advocate for a more limited form of cross-border police co-operation.
  • Talks will also be held on preparations to extend EU membership to six eastern European nations, including Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Statistics:

  • European fraud is estimated to be as high as £6 billion.
  • The Government has pledged £220 million in funding for Ulster, with a possible additional £20 million in the form of a "peace dividend" grant.
  • The Public Accounts Committee is to be given a more powerful role in overseeing Union funds, with increased parliamentary scrutiny of EU funds.

Sources:

  • "John Major to Urge EU Leaders to Launch Four-Pronged Attack on Fraud," The Times, 1994 (exact date not specified)