31. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that confidential information concerning people receiving supplementary benefit is not given on the telephone without checking the bona fides of the inquirer.
§ Mr. DeanInstructions to departmental staff provide that information in social security records concerning individuals is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Staff have been warned in particular against giving information by telephone unless they are completely satisfied as to the identity of the inquirer and his entitlement to the information requested.