Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he now proposes to consult the Trades Union Congress on the proposal for the abatement of unemployment benefit for those below the age of 65 years who are in receipt of occupational pensions.
§ Mr. SwinglerFollowing the Report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee earlier this year recommending additional conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit by occupational pensioners, my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of Social Security, met representatives of the Trades Union Congress in May and discussed the proposals with them.
Draft regulations which incorporate a number of easements to the recommendations are at present under consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee. I understand that the Trades Union Congress were invited by the Committee to give oral evidence and have done so.