§ Mr. Delargyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will publish in the Official Report the annual remuneration for doctors in the hospital service in England and Wales in the grades of consultant with A plus merit award and those with A B C and D awards, also the salary of a consultant on the maximum basic scale and the minimum scale in June 1972 and June 1975.
§ Dr. OwenFollowing is the information for consultants employed wholetime in the National Health Service:
The Irish Republican Army; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) today.
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§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence she has about a social security fraud made for the benefit of the Prosional IRA; and whether she is satisfied with the system of demanding identification and other investigation when supplementary benefit is claimed by a person without production of a national insurance card.
§ Mrs. CastleMy Department is concerned to prevent or deal effectively with any type of fraud, regardless of the motivation of those concerned. Our arrangements for dealing with organised crime against the Department have been greatly strengthened in the last six months. It is, moreover, an offence under the Prevention of Terroirsm (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974 knowingly to provide financial support for the IRA. Any firm evidence of fraud against my Department or of the provision of financial support to the IRA would be a matter for criminal proceedings.
On the last part of the hon. Member's Question, the award of supplementary benefit is a matter for the Supplementary Benefits Commission. It is not paid on a continuing basis unless the commission's officer is satisfied with the evidence produced by the claimant as to his identity, address and needs. New claims are normally checked by a home visit. National insurance cards are no longer in use except for self-employed and non-employed persons.