U.K. check on morals

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 6

U.K. check on morals

I (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright > LONDON, March 29. Women who draw social security in Britain will still be subject to checks with neighbours to find out if they ,are “living in sin.” according Ito Sir Keith Joseph. Minister I for Health and Social Security. The Government nas turned down a committee recommendation that this pracj tice should cease. In fact the inumber of investigators who | checked if social security (claimants were still working I would be increased by 60, a rise of 30 per cent, said Sir Keith Joseph. He was speaking at a (press conference after publication of the report of the I Fisher Committee, which has I been examining abuse of social security benefits. Referring to the recommendation that investigators of I “concealed cohabitation” I should use inquiries in the neighbourhood only as a last resort. Sir Keith Joseph said “We propose that the supplementary benefits commis-. sion will carry on as now. “The Fisher Committee: does not question the impor-1 lance of checks, but it does I propose, we believe, a reduc- , tion in the effectiveness of the investigation.” He said that investigations! were made in “as civilised and least barbarous way” as possible.