Fraud

Mr. Sproat
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department treat as fraud cases those persons who register unemployed once a fortnight, and find a job the day after registration, but accept unemployment benefit for the second week of registration.

Mr. Orme
At present fortnightly signing operates only in exceptional circumstances, for example where there are difficulties about local office premises, or at certain public holidays. Under these arrangements the benefit itself is in general paid weekly in arrear, and, in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member, such cases would be treated as involving fraud.