§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of alleged fraud were detected in relation to(a) income support and (b) social fraud, which were considered for civil legal proceedings in England, Scotland and Wales in 1989–90 and 1990–91.
§ Mr. JackThe Department does not collect information on the number of cases considered for civil legal proceedings which relate to alleged fraud involving social security payments. A case is accepted for proceedings on the basis that a debt exists, with no distinction being made between fraudulent and non-fraudulent cases. Proceedings will be considered in all cases where the overpayment is £300 or more after other attempts to recover the debt have been exhausted.