§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state for his Department's benefit fraud programme for the year 1991–92(a) the number of staff years used, (b) the running costs, (c) the additional benefit recovered and (d) the unit cost ratio of cost to benefit.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe investigation of benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefit's Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library.
150WLetter from M. Bichard to Mr. Andrew Smith, dated 2 November 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the investigation of social security fraud.
You asked how many staff years had been used in the benefit fraud programme during 1991–92; the running costs; the additional benefit recovered and the unit cost ratio of cost to benefit.
Figures are not available to show the number of staff years used. However in 1991–92 2,873 staff were employed to detect and prosecute fraud at a cost of £62.5 million.
In 1991–92 the estimated savings that accrued from the investigation of fraud totalled £427 million. This is represented by a unit cost ratio of cost to benefit of 1:6.6.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many asylum seekers have been(a) charged and (b) convicted of offences relating to defrauding his Department in each year since 1962.
§ Miss WiddecombeProsecution statistics do not indicate the origin or status of individuals. The information requested is, therefore, not available.