HC Deb 31 January 1974 vol 868 c160W
Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants were investigated for (i) cohabitation and (ii) fictitious desertion during 1973 or the most recent period for which figures are available; how many of each of these two groups had their allowances withdrawn or reduced; what was the resultant gross saving to the Exchequer in this period; and what was the net saving after taking into account the cost of the investigations.

Mr. Dean

The information for 1972, the latest period for which figures are available, is:

of cases of false claims brought to light; and if he will make a statement on his estimate of the value of this work.

Mr. Dean

Separate statistics are not kept for Carlisle. There are at present 33 special investigators employed in the Northern Region to deal with suspected fraud. About half their time is spent in the investigation of cases of suspected cohabitation or fictitious desertion and they visit Carlisle as cases arise. The estimated saving to public funds for the country as a whole is given in my other reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers).