§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evaluation he has made of the experience of the Australian Government in the detection and eradication of fraud by benefit claimants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAs part of the six nations social security interchange scheme, a senior official from the security, fraud and control division of the Australian Department of Social Security has been seconded to this Department since 1993. He has been assisting in the development of the security strategy, modelled on the equivalent Australian fraud control plan.
A small team from Australia is currently working with the Information Technology Services Agency and the Benefits Agency as part of the security strategy.