HC Deb 03 February 1981 vol 998 cc87-8W
42. Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that sufficient officers are employed by his Department to investigate social security fraud.

Mr. Rossi

This matter is kept under constant review. The number of staff employed on fraud and abuse work is currently 1,050 higher than when we came into office. The arrangements mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Prentice), the former Minister with responsibility for social security and disablement, in his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) and four other hon. Members on 25 March 1980—[Vol. 981, c. 1155–9]—to collect information about our fraud and abuse campaign will enable us to make better judgments not only about the numbers of specialist staff required, but also about the best way to deploy them.