How would it look if you gave a guy a letter of reference and it was later proved that the record you verified included a whole whack of Parker pen time?
The Minister doesn't know with any certainty what a person's flying hours record is as there's no requirement to report your time to TC other than on the medical form. How does TC know that those numbers are factual? The letter of verification is only meant to show that person holds a valid licence. This is required under ICAO for the issuance of a licence based on foreign qualifications.