§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instruct the Benefits Agency to investigate allegations that the holidaymakers who were recently ejected from an Airtours flight to Jamaica were fraudulently claiming income-related benefits; and if he will make a statement. [69893]
§ Mr. TimmsQuestions on Benefit Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.
189WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 8 February 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will instruct the Benefits Agency (BA) to investigate allegations that the holidaymakers who were recently ejected from an Airtours flight to Jamaica were claiming income-related benefits; and if he will make a statement.
The information that the BA holds about its customers is confidential and there are strict rules about its disclosure. I am therefore unable to provide any details about this case.
In general terms, whether fraud is involved in the case of a benefit customer taking a holiday abroad depends on the eligibility rules of the individual benefits involved.
The BA takes benefit fraud very seriously and where proof of wrongdoing is established, a very firm line is taken against the culprits. I can assure you that the BA will fully investigate suspected fraud where there are reasonable grounds to support an enquiry.
I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.