HC Deb 30 April 1969 vol 782 cc254-5W
Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why his officers at employment exchanges instruct unemployed people to report daily or hourly for their allowance.

Mr. Ennals

Any unemployed person who claims unemployment benefit or a supplementary allowance may be required to attend at the employment exchange on every working day, or on such working days as the Secretary of State may direct. In practice, the normal attendance is once or twice a week but in some cases daily attendance may be required, for example, where it is felt that this will improve his chances of finding a job, particularly in the case of a person receiving a supplementary allowance.

Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department takes against employers who employ workers knowing that such workers are in receipt of unemployment benefit.

Mr. Ennals

In these circumstances the substantive offence is that of the worker who makes a false statement that he is not working in order to obtain benefit. If it could be proved that an employer aided and abetted the committing of the offence, or if he failed to pay any National Insurance contributions due, he also would be liable to prosecution.

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