§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received from police authorities regarding criminal use of supplementary benefit books and Giro cheques by IRA sympathisers.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total value of supplementary benefit books stolen in, respectively, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and so far in 1976.
§ Mr. OrmeThe maximum potential value of supplementary benefit order books stolen from local offices is as follows:
£000s 1970 Nil 1971 107 1972 Nil 1973 1,120 1974 Nil 1975 723 1976 to 30th September Nil
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take immediate steps to change the design of supplementary benefit books to seek to prevent forging and other forms of fraud.
§ Mr. OrmeThe prevention of fraud is one of the factors to be taken into account in a review of the design of all order books, including those used for the payment of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has received regarding the sale by individuals of supplementary benefit book covers for £5 per cover.
§ Mr. OrmeI am aware that there is trafficking in order book covers. Every report is fully investigated.