To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisation his Department and its subsidiary bodies use to tackle internal instances of crime, including corruption and fraud; and whether he has designated this organisation or any individual within it to grant authorisation for carrying out directed surveillance under section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

A professional Internal Investigations team is employed directly to provide a staff investigation service for the Department for Work and Pensions and its subsidiary bodies. Some senior members of this team are designated to authorise directed surveillance under Section 28 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The use of surveillance by this team is reviewed annually by The Office of the Surveillance Commissioner.