The woman who heads the Salvation Army's family Christmas appeals is hoping to safeguard against fraudsters next year by setting up an official clearing office.

Janice Dill said there were three or four different churches on the Island that distributed food hampers to the needy and sick at Christmas.

But she added there was no clearing system between them, so some dishonest families in the past had tried to claim a box of goodies from each.

Others, she said, have even tried to claim several times from the same charity by getting different members of their household to apply for a hamper.

Mrs. Dill said: "It's time we had some kind of clearing house, where a representative from each of the aid groups can go and check that the names they had for assistance were not also logged somewhere else.

"At the moment, we are trying to pick them up just from name, address or telephone number, but it is difficult and it makes our job difficult.

"We would ideally like Government to provide an office or equipment to help us do it. It would make sure that people only receive one hamper.'' Minister of Health and Social Services Nelson Bascome said it was an idea that could be looked at between the churches.

He said: "It would be a worthwhile idea and I think each of the groups could have a meeting of minds with the Government director of financial services to create some kind of list and system.

"The idea should certainly be developed.'' Helping the needy: Page 2