§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services further to his answer to the hon. Members for Aberdeen, South on 8th July 1977, regarding unemployed persons moving to climatically agreeable resorts, how many persons who have moved to the area ostensibly to get work have had unemployment benefit withdrawn after two weeks in Torbay and the eight other local offices in the South-West Region.
§ Mr. OrmeI presume that the hon. Member is referring to supplementary benefit, and not unemployment benefit, as 357W it is the former that falls within the two-week review procedure, as was indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 8th July.—[Vol. 934, c. 685–6]
In the nine offices in question, up to 30th June, the total number of persons who had their supplementary benefit withdrawn at this review stage, and following a special interview, was 186.
In addition, a further 337 persons were invited to an interview, but did not attend, having seemingly succeeded in obtaining employment in the meantime. Payment of supplementary benefit ceased in their cases also, of course.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South on 8th July 1977, regarding unemployed persons moving to climatically agreeable resorts, how many persons in Torbay and the eight other local offices of the South-West Region, respectively, are now drawing supplementary benefit, having had their unemployment benefit withdrawn.