HC Deb 04 February 1983 vol 36 c216W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether an information officer from his Department was present at the press conference held by the Thames Valley police following "Operation Major" carried out in Oxford on 2 September 1982.

Mr. Rossi

An information officer from this Department was present at the press conference. She took no part in the proceedings but immediately afterwards replied to questions about social security benefits.

Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why, in view of the fact that the special claims control unit of his Department uses a 13-week multiplier to calculate the projected savings in fraud investigations, his Department has estimated the benefit savings from "Operation Major" carried out in Oxford on 2 September 1982 to relate to a 52-week period.

Mr. Rossi

Specialist claims control teams do not use a 13-week multiplier to calculate benefit savings. As with all investigations into social security fraud, estimates are based on 52 weeks benefit saved per case. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Social Services on 6 May 1981.—[Vol. 4, c.79–80]