§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions in the last 12 months persons have been prosecuted for returning temporarily to their country of origin and leaving their family dependent on social security benefits; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeDepending on the circumstances, either civil or criminal proceedings may be taken against people who fail or neglect to maintain dependants for whose maintenance they are liable under the Supplementary Benefits Act. In 1976 there were 413 civil and 599 criminal proceedings. Our records do not show the information requested by the hon. Member, but such cases are relatively very few.