§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Harry Green way, dated 28 April 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State asking what information he has as to the payment of social security benefits to individuals who died in the Waco fire.
A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. Of those five people four are feared to have died in the fire and the benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit and Retirement Pension.
The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit. I would also like to say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by the Agency's Overseas Branch Directorate by payable order through a bank account or by automated credit transfer.
I hope that you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving social security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom;
(2) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of benefits is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 28 April 1993:
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking (i) how many people in the Waco compound were in receipt of benefits from his Department; and what benefits they were receiving and (ii) how long those in the Waco compound who were receiving Social Security benefits had been out of the United Kingdom.
A check of the Departmental Central Index has shown that five people had current or recent claims to benefit whilst in the Waco Compound of the Davidian Cult. The benefits involved were Income Support, Child Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefit and Retirement Pension.
523WI am unable, until my investigations are complete, to say how long each individual had been outside the United Kingdom as none of the absences from this country had been reported to the Department's Overseas Benefits Directorate (OBD), who are responsible for considering benefit entitlement for most people who leave the United Kingdom. I can, however, say that of the five people mentioned, one ceased to receive benefit in February 1993 and another ceased to receive benefit in March 1993. I can also say that the payments of benefit to persons overseas are not made by girocheque or order book and that legitimate payments to such persons would be made by OBD by payable order through a bank account, or by automated credit transfer.
The above information has emerged from our preliminary enquiries. I can assure you, however, that the individual circumstances of each case will be fully investigated to establish the correct entitlement in each case and we are reviewing procedures to prevent payment to those living abroad who do not qualify for benefit.
I hope you find this reply helpful. A copy will appear in the Official Report and a copy will also be placed in the Library.