Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action is being taken to examine the records in the National Insurance record system to check whether they might relate to bogus identities; and how many records have been checked and over what time period. - (Holding answer 15 July 2002).

Answer: Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action is being taken to examine the records in the National Insurance record system to check whether they might relate to bogus identities; and how many records have been checked and over what time period. [69857] Malcolm Wicks: [holding answer 15 July 2002]: The Department has access to the National Insurance recording system. However, it is owned and controlled by the Inland Revenue. The Department and the Inland Revenue already work closely and jointly address issues relating to National Insurance Numbers (NINOs) and identity fraud, through a number of working groups and inter-departmental bodies. Data matching already takes place between the Department and Inland Revenue. Where the Inland Revenue's operational activity on individual cases suggests that there may be a problem with identity, these cases are sent to this Department's National Identity Fraud Unit for further action. Separate records are not kept of how many cases are referred in this way, or over what period.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69857; 389 c1554W;389 c1555W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Databases Abuse Fraud National insurance Personation Social security benefits
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk