HC Deb 15 July 1997 vol 298 cc144-5W
Mr. Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tenants of private landlords received housing benefit between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997; and how many of those were subsequently found to have committed housing benefit fraud. [7186]

Mr. Worthington

The information required to answer the question fully is not readily available at present but I will write to the hon. gentleman shortly and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

Mr. Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) housing executive and (b) DSS fraud inspectors were in situ between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997. [7185]

Mr. Worthington

Between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive did not employ its staff as fraud inspectors. During this period, fraud investigations and prosecutions were carried out on behalf of the Housing Executive by staff of the Social Security Agency's Fraud and Prosecutions Branch and by the Royal Ulster Constabulary under the Theft Act.

During 1996–97, the Housing Executive appointed five staff to commence work on the development of a Security Strategy for Housing Benefit. Procedures operated by Housing Executive staff administering Housing Benefit include fraud prevention measures, as a result of which it is estimated that, for the six month period ended 31 March 1997, some £1.5 million was saved.

On 1 April 1996 the Social Security Agency had in place 61 staff involved in fraud prevention and detection. On 1 April 1997 the number had risen to 88, 70 of whom include the investigation of referrals from the Housing Executive in their duties.

Mr. Forsythe

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tenants of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive received housing benefit between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997; and how many of those were subsequently found to have committed housing benefit fraud. [7187]

Mr. Worthington

The information required to answer the question fully is not readily available at present but I will write to the hon. gentleman shortly and place a copy of my reply in the Library.