§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many arrests have been made in January by Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service Southern Command; [74345]
(2) what is the current budget for Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service; and of this, what proportion is allocated to the (a) Northern and (b) Southern Commands; [74347]
(3) how many arrests made by BASIS Southern Command have led to (a) prosecutions and (b) successful convictions since its establishment. [74346]
§ Mr. TimmsQuestions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the hon. Member.
887WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 3 March 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many arrests have been made in January by BASIS Southern Command; what is the budget for BASIS; and of this, what proportion is allocated to Northern and Southern Commands respectively; how many arrests made by BASIS Southern Command have led to (a) prosecutions and (b) successful convictions since its establishment.During January 1999 the BASIS Southern Command made ten arrests.The budget for BASIS is managed centrally and not split into two commands. It covers not only the Investigation Staff but also Support Staff and Goods and Services. The budget for this financial year is £8.2 million of which £6.34 million has been spent to date.BASIS was formed in April 1998. Since that date the police have made 360 arrests based on information supplied by BASIS Command. One hundred and forty-eight of these have been submitted for prosecution of which ninety-four have to date been successful.I hope that this is helpful.