§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to the current pilot scheme involving the cross-matching of council tax and housing benefits data, obtained from London local authorities, with data held by his Department, if he will indicate the anticipated saving arising from the exercise; what estimate he has made of the number of records to be matched, anticipated mismatches and withdrawn applications for benefits; and if he will make a statement. [20058]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 1 December 1994, Official Report, column 883. A full evaluation of the housing benefit central register pilot has taken place and is currently under consideration.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to his intention to cross-match council tax and housing benefits personal data with personal data held by his Department, whether he has issued advice to London boroughs concerning the need to protect claimants from false accusations based in inaccurate data; and if he will make a statement. [20059]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 28 November 1994,Official Report, column 521.