§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many officials in his Department have been(a) suspended, (b) disciplined, (c) dismissed and (d) prosecuted for each of the last 30 years for irregularities in connection with benefit fraud from which they or their associates have gained; [24612]
(2) how many officials working on the departmental central index have been (a) suspended, (b) disciplined, (c) dismissed and (d) prosecuted for each of the last 30 years for irregularities in connection with benefit fraud from which they or their associates have gained. [24613]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThis information is not available in the form requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Benefit fraud by staff is treated very seriously, resulting in dismissal and prosecution when proven. A total of 34 staff have been prosecuted for matters relating to benefit fraud since 1 April 1994; it is not possible to say how many of these had access to the departmental central index. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 March,Official Report, columns 693ߝ94.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those local authorities who use(a) auditors and (b) specialist trained fraud investigators to investigate housing benefit fraud; and if he will detail each authority and the total number of staff who have been employed for each of the last 10 years. [24614]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information requested is not available.