§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an inquiry into the circumstances in which social security benefit books valued at £600,000 were stolen from a DHSS office in Crystal Palace, London, over the weekend of the 27th-28th November 1976; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe theft of the order books is a matter proper for the police and is being investigated by them. As my right hon. Friend stated in his reply to the hon. Member on 3rd November, security arrangements are being checked in all offices.—[Vol. 918, c.628.]
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the DHSS office at Crystal Palace, London, from 337W which social security benefit books valued at £600,000 were stolen over the weekend of 27th-28th November 1976, had a burglar alarm.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes in security arrangements at local social security offices have been made since the break in at Stockwell in 1973.
§ Mr. EnnalsGeneral security arrangements are continuously under review with the aim of eliminating weak spots. Changes in security arrangements have been made, but publicising information about our security measures in local offices would not be in the general interest.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if changes in the security arrangements at local social security offices, following the Stockwell theft in 1973, had been implemented at the branch in Crystal Palace which was recently broken into; and, if not, why not.
§ Mr. EnnalsYes