§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he regards the present procedures for the monitoring of national insurance sickness claims as effective; and whether he will undertake a review of the existing arrangements.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Department's coordinating committee on abuse has reviewed over the last two years the arrangements for control of sickness benefit claims and will continue this498W work. A number of proposals designed to improve the effectiveness of procedures are being implemented. Officials have been instructed to carry out further work on other, longer-term, proposals. My right hon. Friend and I are fully seized of the importance of taking effective measures to combat abuse.