§ Mr. Hawksleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to social security frauds for under £250 and prosecutions of those responsible.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Government's policy, whatever the sum involved, is to stop the fraud, take steps to recover the money overpaid and consider whether, in all the circumstances of the case, legal proceedings would be appropriate.
§ Mr. Hawksleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of social security frauds under £250 each year.
§ Dr. BoysonWe do not have sufficient information about the incidence of fraud to be able to make a realistic estimate. However, out of a total of 11,000 prosecutions for fraud against the DHSS in 1981–82 it is estimated that some 7,500 were in respect of amounts of less than £250.