HC Deb 08 May 1973 vol 856 cc184-5
6. Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will institute proceedings against organisations which publicise methods of illegally exploiting social security benefits and services, details of which are in his possession.

14. Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will institute proceedings against organisations which publicise methods of illegally exploiting social security benefits and services, details of which are in his possession.>

Sir K. Joseph

No, Sir. I am advised that the publication my hon. Friends have in mind contains nothing to justify either civil or criminal proceedings. Provision already exists for prosecuting fraudulent claimants of supplementary benefit.

Mr. Howell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am disappointed with that reply? Does he realise that there is growing public concern that false and misleading information printed by organisations such as the Claimants Union is suggesting ways of exploiting and disrupting our very generous social system? Is he further aware that a great number of people right across the political spectrum are annoyed and disturbed at this?

Sir K. Joseph

I do not wonder that there is this feeling which my hon. Friend describes. The handbook to which I believe he refers is one to be deplored. It advocates a most tendentious and mischievous approach which is deliberately calculated to provoke ill feeling between potential claimants and the staff in my Department's local offices. I am glad that the Supplementary Benefits Commission has issued an authoritative leaflet putting the record straight. This has been made available through the offices to all who might be concerned.

Mr. William Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the alleged abuse in this area is chicken-feed compared with the abuse which takes place through the evasion of income tax and all the rest? Will he ask his right hon. Friends to be as energetic in pursuing these defaulters as he and his committee have been in investigating the defaulters in social security benefits, the number of which is highly marginal? Is he aware that the number of prosecutions is small compared with the number of prosecutions by the Inland Revenue of wealthy taxpayers?

Sir K. Joseph

My hon. Friends, and a great number of people throughout the country who agree with them, have a right to be aggrieved when people not only damage the innocent public by strikes but in addition are led, by the Claimants Union in many cases to a hectoring approach to public officials who are carrying out their humane duty. This is thoroughly deplorable.