asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total cost of his Department's fraud investigation operation during the past two years, broken down between salaries, expenses and other costs.
The actual salaries and expenses of the Department's officers working on fraud investigations cannot be identified, either separately or collectively, without disproportionate cost.Using the average salaries and other costs appropriate to the grade of the officers concerned, it is estimated that for the financial year 1980–81—the first complete year for which detailed returns were maintained of the manpower used in these investigations—the overall costs were of the order of:
| £ million | |
| Pay, including national insurance contributions | 16·2 |
| Other expenses—travel, postage, telephones, common services, accommodation, superannuation, etc. | 13·2 |
| 29·4 |
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any members of his Department working on fraud investigations are supplied with motor cars.
Fraud investigation officers are not supplied with motor cars.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the mileage rate per mile paid to members of his Department working on fraud investigations who use their own cars.
Fraud investigation officers who necessarily use their own cars in the course of their official duties, and who meet certain requirements with regard to the insurance of their vehicles, are paid at the rate of 22·3p per mile. This rate has been in force since 1 September 1981, and is common to all Civil Service Departments.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if members of his Department working on fraud investigation have to submit detailed expense claims.
Fraud investigation officers, in common with all officers of the Department, have to submit detailed claims to establish their entitlement to travelling expenses and subsistence allowances.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if any member of his Department working on fraud investigation has been transferred or prosecuted as a result of any expense claim since 1 January 1980.
No.
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details of current allowable expense claims for members of his Department working on fraud investigation, indicating any special allowances for those working any distance or prolonged hours from home or office.
Fraud investigation officers are entitled to the same expenses and allowances as other members of staff in mileage allowances for use of private cars on official business and subsistence allowances for long-day or overnight absences. Officers who work in excess of the standard working week are also entitled to payment for overtime.