HC Deb 15 March 1994 vol 239 c586W
Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Prison Service notifies the Benefits Agency if a claimant is received into custody.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Governors of establishments are asked to complete a form about national insurance in respect of any prisoner admitted to custody for a period of 21 days or more. The form, which includes questions about the receipt of benefits immediately before arrest, is sent to the Contributions Agency. This procedure is being supplemented by sending the Benefits Agency, on request, lists of prisoners.

Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what incentives exist for remand prisoners to disclose the details of the benefits received.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

A form about national insurance, which includes questions about the receipt of benefits, is designed for completion in respect of all prisoners—whether convicted or remand—admitted to custody for a period of 21 days or more. Prisoners—including those on remand and hoping to be granted bail—are encouraged to contact the DSS quickly to sort out their benefit affairs, not least so that families do not lose any benefits to which they may be entitled.