§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of special investigators in post during 1975; what was the cost of investigations into the supplementary benefit scheme; and if he will express this figure as a percentage of the amount recovered as a result of their investigations.
§ Mr. OrmeThe average number of special investigators in post in DHSS during 1975 was 343 at an approximate total cost of £2,200,000. Estimates of the savings to public funds as a result of special investigation—or any departmental measures against suspected fraud—rest on a number of arbitrary assumptions. But very broadly it is thought that saving from special investigation is about double its gross cost.