§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the recent agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to prevent social security fraud.
§ Mr. Chris PattenI last met my counterpart from the Republic of Ireland on 19 April 1984 when, among the various matters discussed, we reviewed progress on the control of social security fraud involving claimants on both sides of the border. There is no more recent agreement but the high level of co-operation between social security offices in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland continues.