§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases of benefit fraud have come to light in each year since 1990 as a result of unsolicited information passed to the Benefits Agency by members of the public; [38753]
(2) if he will list those areas selected to pilot Operation Speakeasy; [38755]
(3) what is the cost of Operation Speakeasy; [38754]
657W
§ Mr. HealdThe investigation of benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 3 November 1995:
658WThe Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the number of benefit fraud cases which have come to light in each year since 1990 as a result of unsolicited information passed to the Benefits Agency by members of the public, the areas selected to pilot the fraud referral hotline, previously known as Operation Speakeasy and the cost involved.Information on the number of benefit fraud cases that have come to light as a result of unsolicited information from members of the public is only available from April 1995.During the period 1 April 1995 to 30 August 1995 we have received 127,301 referrals from the public. These have resulted in 72,474 investigations and of the investigations completed so far, 30,687 of these have proved to be cases of benefit fraud.The fraud referral hotline was launched in September this year. This is a freephone telephone line which allows members of the public to report allegations of benefit fraud to trained fraud staff. It is to be piloted in four areas Hull, Stockport, Blackburn/Burnley and Tunbridge Wells.The pilot has incurred an initial outlay of around £30,000 but the final cost will not be known until the exercise is completed.I hope you find this reply helpful.