§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will set up a special inquiry into the extent of abuse of social security benefits by 16- to 19 year-olds; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will set up a special inquiry to look into the extent of improper receipt of social security benefits by pupils still at school; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeMy Department and the Department of Employment have been considering for some time, with the other674W interests involved, the present procedures for dealing with claims to social security benefit by young unemployed persons. This is part of our continuing effort to deal with the problems of fraud and abuse, about which I gave the House general details in my statement in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) on 7th December 1977—[Vol. 940, c. 745–8]—and I see no reason for any special inquiry. I have no evidence that improper receipt of benefit by pupils still at school is widespread. If evidence of particular cases is brought to my notice, it will be investigated.