HC Deb 06 November 1973 vol 863 cc150-1W
Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many officers are employed by his Department full-time or part-time to observe the domestic activities in the homes of single women, divorcees and widows who are recipients of allowances and benefits in the Northern Region and in Hartlepool, respectively.

Mr. Dean

There are at present 29 special investigators employed in the Northern Region to deal with cases of suspected fraud; they visit Hartlepool as cases arise. They spend about half their time in the investigation of cases of suspected cohabitation or fictitious desertion, which may involve observation of premises but not of the domestic activities of claimants in their homes.

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