§ Mr. Bradleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he is satisfied with the operation of the system for the payment of social security benefits through the Post Office Giro, as far as security is concerned;
(2) how many cases have been reported of fraudulent encashment of social security benefits paid through the Post Office Giro.
§ Mr. DeanI am satisfied with the system. In 1972 about 37,500 Giro orders replaced by my Department were later found to have been cashed. The question of fraud arose in only a proportion of those cases but central records are not maintained of the number.