§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost of the specialist claims control units of his Department in 1983–84 and 1984–85.
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§ Mr. WhitneyThe estimated administrative cost of specialist claims control staff was £2.4 million in 1983–84 and £2 million in 1984–85.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions have been brought against claimants as a result of the operations of the specialist claims control units of his Department in 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. WhitneySeparate statistics are not maintained of the number of prosecutions resulting from specialist claims control.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total amount saved in stopped claims as a result of the operations of the specialist claims control units of his Department in 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe information requested is not available. However, the estimated total benefit savings from cases examined by specialist claims control teams and where benefit either ceased or was adjusted were £19 million and £16.3 million in 1983–84 and 1984–85 respectively.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment has been made in relation to those whose benefits are stopped following an investigation by the specialist claims control units of his Department of the numbers of persons who subsequently are awarded benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe operational research services branch of the Department has recently completed a study into specialist claims control and the report is under consideration. The study has taken account of persons whose benefit ceased following an investigation and who subsequently returned to benefit.