HC Deb 01 February 1979 vol 961 c527W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether social security benefits paid to persons in respect of rent, but not in fact subsquently paid by those persons in rent, are included in the figures for amounts lost in fraud by his Department.

Mr. Orme

No. The failure of someone on supplementary benefit to pay rent is not fraud. Where exceptionally there is persistent default, the Supplementary Benefits Commission can pay rent direct to the landlord.