§ 9. Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals the Contributions Agency has to safeguard the special position of share fishermen paying their special contribution when unemployed under days at sea limitations.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to change the special arrangements which have been made for share fishermen.
§ Mr. MitchellThat answer is appalling. Does the Minister not accept that, as the Government are about to impose a limit on the number of days that fishing vessels can put to sea, fishermen who pay the special share fishermen's stamp will be unable to collect the benefit to which they are entitled and unable to exist unless some special exemption is made for them in the new situation? They will be vulnerable and trapped between a Government decision that they cannot carry on with the job and another Government decision that they cannot collect benefit because of the weekly earnings rule.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe payment of a special contribution has been introduced specifically to protect share fishermen, to make sure that they become eligible for unemployment benefit. Qualifying for two weeks or more for unemployment benefit will cover the additional costs, since the vessels of the majority of share fishermen are laid up for more than two weeks. Our arrangements are fair and equitable.