§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much his Department has saved from the investigation of fraud in the latest year for which figures are available; and what are the targeted savings for the next financial year;
754W(2) what is the number of whole time equivalent staff employed by his Department to detect and prosecute suspected fraud; and what is the cost of their employment;
(3) how many people were prosecuted for fraud by his Department in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe investigation of social security fraud is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member and a copy' will be placed in the Library.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 27 October 1992:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the investigation of social security fraud.You asked how much has been saved from the investigation of fraud and how many people were prosecuted for fraud in the latest year for which figures are available; what are the targeted savings for 1992–93; and what is the number and cost of whole time equivalent staff employed to detect and prosecute fraud.In the year ending 31 March 1992 the estimated savings that accrued from the investigation of fraud totalled £427 million. During the same period there were 4,379 people prosecuted by the Agency which led to 3,916 convictions.The number of staff employed to detect and prosecute fraud in the year ending 31 March 1992 was 2,873 at a cost of £62.5 million.The targeted savings from the investigation of fraud for the year ending 31 March 1993 is £460 million.I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy of this reply will appear in the Official Report. Copies are also being placed in the Library.