Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Friday, 11 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 January 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 31 January 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, how many persons convicted of benefit offences have received (a) custodial sentences, (b) community sentences and (c) other sentences since 1997.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons convicted of benefit offences have received (a) custodial sentences, (b) community sentences and (c) other sentences since 1997. [27692] Malcolm Wicks: The requested information is not available in respect of housing benefit fraud. The available information is in the table. Sentences on successful prosecution following investigations by the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service and Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Custodial Community Other sentences{ 3} Deportation Total sentences sentences{ 1} sentences{ 2} 1997-98 363 2,505 8,832 -- 11,700 1998-99 448 2,259 7,531 -- 10,238 1999-2000 458 2,178 6,469 19 9,124 2000-01 526 2,667 8,210 -- 11,403 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. Imprisonment, Young Offenders Institute, Custodial and Fine 2. Community Service 3. Conditional Discharge, Compensation only, Admonishment, Fined, Probation, Supervision Order, Imprisonment suspended, Attendance Centre, Custodial (suspended) and fine, Other

Secondary information