§ 46. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases of suspected cohabitation investigated in 1975 and 1976 the alleged cohabitation was established; and, of those women who lost benefit as a result of 451W investigation, what percentage reclaimed it successfully within three months.
§ Mr. OrmeIn 1975, 10,182 cases were the subject of special investigation and benefit was reduced or withdrawn in 4,062 cases. The corresponding figures for the first nine months of 1976—the latest information available—were 6,822 and 2,726 respectively. No record is kept of the number of cases in which the woman concerned may have reclaimed benefit within three months.