§ LORD AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government whether they will conduct an investigation into the spying by officials of the Department of Health and Social Security on the Southwark Council's homeless families.
§ LORD ABERDAREI assume that the noble Lord refers to observation kept by officers of my Department at Chaucer House, Tabard Street, Southwark, on persons suspected of fraud against the Department. No investigation into the officers' activities is necessary since the facts are known. I understand that Chaucer House is due to be closed completely, but in the meantime parts of it are used as half-way accommodation. Between November 3–5, 1971, officers of my Department kept observation from a disused flat on five people suspected of fraud in the receipt of benefit. Over the three days observation was kept for a total of 10 hours. I can assure the noble Lord that any suggestion that the Department's officers keep a general watch on Southwark Council tenants is groundless.
House adjourned at sixteen minutes past seven o'clock.