§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place a copy of the code of practice, which relates to data matching by her Department with respect to benefit fraud, in the Library. [47368]
§ Mr. FieldThe use of data matching is an important weapon in the fight against benefit fraud. We are now looking to extend this technique across Government through the use of powers contained in the Social Security 113W Administration (Fraud) Act 1997. We want to extend data matching in a way which places significant additional obstacles in the path of fraudsters whilst at the same time ensuring that citizens' rights are properly protected. Consequently, these powers will not be used until the DSS Code of Practice for Data Matching has been published.
We will be seeking the views of Liberty and the National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux on the draft Code of Practice. We shall also be placing a copy of the consultation document in the Library of the House, and the views of hon Members will be most welcome.
We anticipate that the Code will be published by early October.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to use data matching techniques with respect to benefit fraud which require access to medical records, as provided for by the Audit Commission Bill 1998. [47369]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe Audit Commission Act 1998 does not confer powers on my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to gain access to medical records,
114W
Centrally sponsored pilot schemes Pilots/prototypes Aim Areas Pensioner pilots1 To test the best ways of getting Income Support to those who are currently entitled but do not claim their entitlement; and to experiment with administrative improvements in the delivery mechanism to prevent future Entitled Non Recipients (ENRs) York, East Renfrewshire, Lambeth, South Staffordshire, Stroud, Preston, Glasgow, Torbay and Torfaen Teleclaims service1 To enable claims for Retirement Pension to be made over the telephone using an IT based claim form Greater London New Deal for Lone Parents1 Lone parents on Income Support are offered advice and support on job search, childcare, benefits and training to help them make the move into work. The service is provided on a one-to-one basis by Personal Advisers Started July/August 1997 in Cambridge, Cardiff and Vale, Clyde Valley, North Cheshire, North Surrey, North Worcestershire, Sheffield East and Warwickshire Extended nationwide on 6 April 1998 to lone parents making a new claim for Income Support Integrated Services Prototype (DSS/LA)1 To offer a one stop service combining DSS and local government services. April to October 1998 Lewisham Council, the local Benefits Agency in Lewisham, South London and Belfast Benefits Centre (to which work from Lewisham BA is re-located) Integrated Service Prototype (Lone Parent)1 To handle lone parents income support, child support and housing needs together by offering a teleclaims service; April to October 1998 Benefits Agency Chilterns South Directorate using a remote processing centre (Glasgow Benefits Centre) linked to four London offices; Ealing, Acton, Euston and Highgate in partnership with the London Borough of Camden ADAPT Project ADAPT project was established to deliver phased approach to involvement of the private sector. The first phase entails a period of partnership between 3 private sector consortia and 3 BA Area Directorates Yorkshire, East London and Anglia and West Country Payment Card Development of a new method of paying benefits by automating post offices Newcastle and Gloucester Personal Account Security To reduce the incidence of identity fraud and reduce the opportunity for the NINO to be abused Edinburgh City BA District office and Highriggs ESJ, Newcastle (Saxon House), Rotherham South, Liverpool (Crosby), Worksop/Worksop ESJ. Chilterns South whether in support of a data matching exercise or otherwise.