HC Deb 12 June 1980 vol 986 cc307-8W
Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases in 1978 and 1979 sickness benefits were allocated incorrectly or not received.

Mr. Prentice

Statistics are not available in precisely the form requested. However, in the year ending 21 February 1979, the Department issued 43 million girocheques for all contributory benefits, other than unemployment benefit, and 18,842 cases of alleged loss or non-receipt were investigated. Corresponding figures for the year ending 19 February 1980 were 45 million, and 15,883.

Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a standard procedure is used by his Department's local offices to trace sickness benefits that have been allocated but not received.

Mr. Prentice

All the Department's local offices hold standard instructions on the general procedures to be followed when a Girocheque issued in payment of sickness or any other benefit is reported by a beneficiary as lost or not received.