HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc830-1W
Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services by what legal authority his Department reclaims overpayments made as a result of errors by his Department's staff.

Mr. Portillo

Overpayments of benefit made to a claimant are not recoverable if the independent adjudicating authorities determine that they result from official error.