38. Air. Tim Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what figures he has available on the scale of abuse of the social security system; and whether he will publish them in theOfficial Report.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Fisher Committee on Abuse of Social Security Benefits, after a study lasting nearly two years, concluded that the available evidence did not permit the true extent of social security abuse to be determined. The number of cases of discovered fraud in 1975 was about 46,000.
§ 41. Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will investigate the extent to which there is abuse of social security benefits; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Fisher Committee recommended surveys to throw light on the full extent of abuse, specifying that they must be based on random samples. This was rejected by the Conservative Administraion which considered the Fisher Committee's report, and we agree with that decision.