§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of false or fraudulent claims of supplementary benefit have been discovered in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively; and how many in each of these years have been reclaimed.
§ Mr. DeanThe estimated numbers of fraudulent claims discovered are as follows:
1967 … … … … 7,500 1968 … … … … 10,550 1969 … … … … 12,400 1970 … … … … 12,850 1971 … … … … 12,800 Figures for 1972 are not yet available.
Steps are always taken to effect recovery where practicable, having regard to the claimant's ability to repay.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra personnel have been used since the miners' strike to check payments of supplementary allowances made to miners during the 1972 strike when it was more difficult than usual to check the validity of claims.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of false or fraudulent claims have been discovered and reclaimed of supplementary allowances paid to miners during the 1972 miners' strike.
§ Mr. DeanAbout 180 cases of false or fraudulent claims to supplementary allowances by miners during the 1972 strike were discovered. Repayment would have been required in every case.