§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions for offences in relation to social security benefit have been brought in the latest convenient 12 months; and if he will show as a percentage the nature of the various categories of charges.
§ Mr. OrmeThere were 15,362 prosecutions in 1975. Details are as follows:
Category of Offence Number if Prosecutions Percentage of Total Working and drawing benefit 6,389 42 Dependants' earnings concealed or misstated 2,373 15 Cohabitation and fictitious desertion 713 5 Order-Book and Giro offences 4,108* 27 Others 1,779 11 Total 15,362 100 * Includes 57 cases of organised crime