§ 39. Mr. Andrew F, Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the most recent estimate of the amount of unclaimed social security and other benefits per week; and how this compares with estimates of fraudulently claimed social security and other benefits.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe Government are concerned both that people should take up their rights to benefit and that fraudu-616W lent claims to benefit are prevented. I hope the hon. Member is not suggesting that fraudulent claims to benefit should be taken any less seriously because not all benefit entitlement is taken up. For the information which the hon. Member asks, I refer him first to my reply to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 1 April—[Vol. 982, c. 137–38] ; secondly, for welfare foods, to paragraphs 19.2 to 19.4 of the annual report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission for 1978; and, thirdly, to the statement promised in my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Leith (Mr. Brown)—[Vol. 989, c. 371]—on 24 July.