§ 87. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether workers in the jute industry in the City of Dundee who are only being employed part-time will now have 123W restored to them their normal entitlement to unemployment benefit.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAs the hon. Member will be aware, entitlement to unemployment benefit is decided by independent adjudicating authorities. I am informed that eight test cases relating to these workers were heard by the local tribunal on 1st March. Two were allowed but the remainder were disqualified for benefit under the trade dispute provisions. I understand that claims for days lost subsequent to the days covered by the tribunal's decisions have not yet been decided but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as these further decisions are known.