Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 June 1998. It was answered by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 1998 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is her estimate of the number of persons who have acquired national insurance numbers illegally with the complicity of a member of her Department's staff in the last two years.

Answer: Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the number of persons who have acquired national insurance numbers illegally with the complicity of a member of her Department's staff in the last two years. [46417] Mr. Field: The Government do not yet have an estimate of the number of persons who have acquired national insurance numbers illegally with the complicity of a member of the Department's staff. The Government are taking action to improve the security of the way numbers are issued and maintained. This work is at an early stage, and the initial results will determine the action necessary to tighten up the security of national insurance numbers, including action specifically surrounding numbers illegally obtained with the complicity of Departmental staff.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 314 c622W; 46417
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Abuse Civil servants Department of Social Security Fraud National insurance Social security