HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc16-7
37. Mr. Robathan

What assessment he has made of the impact on the resources of the National Audit Office of the need for recurrent qualification of Department of Social Security accounts. [20232]

Mr. Sheldon

In 1997, the Comptroller and Auditor General qualified his certificate on three accounts for the Department of Social Security and its agencies. The vote that accounts for major benefits expenditure has been qualified due to the level of error in benefit awards each year since the introduction of income support in 1988–89. The national insurance fund account has been qualified every year since 1987–88. The Child Support Agency client funds account has been qualified each year since the creation of the agency in 1993. Apart from the additional costs to the National Audit Office of around £100,000, those qualifications over so long a period represent serious failures in accountability.

Mr. Robathan

The right hon. Gentleman will agree that that is a rather sorry tale. May I urge him to ensure that the NAO continues to pursue the matter? A year ago, it was alleged that £1.4 billion had been fraudulently misspent on income support alone. The issue is vital to any review of the accounts and expenditure of the Department of Social Security. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman agrees that we must concentrate on that. I hope that he is able to assist.

Mr. Sheldon

Obviously, the main work will fall to the Public Accounts Committee. I am sure that the top civil servants concerned will be brought before the Committee and will be pursued vigorously. It is shameful that the situation has been allowed to go on for so long.

Mrs. Dunwoody

With his extensive experience, I am sure that my right hon. Friend is worried about the situation. Will he draw to the attention of the Ministers concerned the fact that, even without any question of fraud, the incompetence of the Child Support Agency system is leading to enormous personal upset and to the taxpayer ending up with the worst of the deal, as usual? I hope that my right hon. Friend will be able to bring his considerable influence to bear to ensure that that is not allowed to continue.

Mr. Sheldon

I fully share my hon. Friend's anxieties. She is quite right. The issue is mainly for the Public Accounts Committee, which will, I am sure, pursue it diligently.