HC Deb 08 March 1985 vol 74 c618W
Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances his Department makes ex gratia payments to replace girocheques issued by his Department's local offices which are subsequently stolen.

Mr. Alan Clark

Local offices of the Department of Employment's unemployment benefit service act on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security in paying unemployment benefit. My Department will replace a girobank cheque for unemployment benefit which is reported stolen after receipt, or which is believed to have been stolen before receipt, provided there is no evidence that it has been cashed by the intended recipient or a member of his household.