§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many employees were judged to be guilty of fraud in his Department in each year since 1989; and how many were dismissed;
693W(2) what is his Department's policy for dealing with employees found guilty of fraud.
§ Mr. HagueAllegations of internal fraud are investigated under the Department's disciplinary procedures. Where an employee is considered, on the balance of probabilities, to have committed such an offence, dismissal would be appropriate.
Since 1989, a total of 68 officers have been dismissed in such circumstances or have resigned during the course of an investigation. The yearly breakdown is as follows:
Number 1989 9 1990 6 1991 13 1992 18 1993 21 1994 to date 1