Date of Death Notifications

HC Deb 22 January 2001 vol 361 cc464-5W

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many erroneous dates of death were broadcast by the departmental central index computer system to other benefit computer systems in March 2000. [145339]

Mr. Rooker

During the period 1 January 2000 to 21 March 2000, of the 1,666 date of death notifications made from Departmental Central Index to other benefit systems only four were known to be incorrect.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cause of erroneous dates of death being broadcast by the departmental central index computer system in March 2000 to other benefit systems; and what action was taken to prevent the problem recurring. [145340]

Mr. Rooker

A small number (there are four cases known) of incorrect dates of death were registered during the transfer of notifications from the Inland Revenue to the Departmental Central Index. Revised procedures are now in place to check the accuracy of this information.