HC Deb 15 March 1965 vol 708 cc878-80
46. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many seasonal workers signed the register for employment in 1964; and how many seasonal workers were refused unemployment benefit in the same year.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. Norman Pentland)

I regret that the information requested is not available. The total number of claims for unemployment benefit in 1964 which were disallowed on the grounds that the additional conditions for seasonal workers were not satisfied was about 4,100.

Mr. Spriggs

Will my hon. Friend reconsider the position of the seasonal worker who becomes unemployed? If he considers it right and proper to do so, will he make the change in respect of the seasonal workers so that it will coincide with the changed rate of unemployment benefit?

Mr. Pentland

This is a very difficult question to answer. [HON. MEMBERS: "Have a go."] My hon. Friend will realise that the National Insurance Commissioner has held that a three-year pattern of seasonal work establishes a strong presumption that the person concerned has become a seasonal worker. It therefore follows that the three-year criterion is normally applied and by the time that the seasonal worker has been classified as such he has had three substantial off-season periods during which he has received the benefits for which the ordinary claimant qualifies.

Mr. Fell

In consideration of the fact that every previous Minister for years has made a study of this problem and the fact that the present Government do not seem to mind reviews, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman would have a review made of the whole position of the seasonal worker?

Mr. Pentland

I cannot answer specifically today that the seasonal worker's position will be reviewed in the near future, but the hon. Member will be aware that unemployment benefit is intended for the unemployed person who was effectively in full employment. It is not designed to give insurance cover for situations where there can be no expectation of employment and consequently no insurable contingency.