Benefit Fraud Hotline

HC Deb 18 December 1996 vol 287 c760W

Mr. Kevin Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of calls to the national benefit fraud hotline are not pursued any further. [8922]

Mr. Heald

It is too early to give the number of successful or unsuccessful referrals generated by calls from the public to the hotline.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was spent on advertising the freeline service in each year since 1992. [8925]

Mr. Evans

This is an operational matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Kevin Hughes, dated 17 December 1996: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much was spent on advertising the Freeline Service in each year since 1992. Since its introduction in 1984 the Benefits Agency Freeline has not had a budget allocation for advertisement costs. The service and details of the telephone numbers were included in appropriate BA leaflets, claim packs and forms. The Benefits Agency Freeline closed in July of this year. I hope you find this reply helpful.