§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) on 22 October, Official Report, c. 236, what subsequent costs have been incurred by his Department in relation to Operation Major in Oxford in September 1982.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, following Operation Major in September 1982, it was not his Department's fraud investigation officers but the police who brought 127W prosecutions; and what criteria are used to decide whether it is his Department or the police who bring such prosecutions.
§ Mr. RossiThis matter was referred for investigation and, if appropriate, prosecution by the police because of the extent of the suspected fraud and the fact that many of those involved were thought to be of an itinerant nature who would be unable to provide evidence of residence in the area and might, therefore, abscond. Normally, the Department would only seek police assistance in this type of case or where the offence was one of deception, such as the alteration of a girocheque, where the necessary technical resources were not available to the Department.