§ Mr. Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are made to protect retirement and other contributory benefit rights of sick and disabled people who are unable to work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisFrom April 1975 credited contributions for weeks of incapacity for work or unemployment have been available to all under pensionable age, except married women who have chosen not to pay full contributions. Credits are also available to people in receipt of invalid care allowance. There 781W are certain conditions on the use of credits if sickness or unemployment benefit is subsequently claimed. Otherwise, provided a person satisfies the minimum conditions for paid contributions, he need suffer no loss of entitlement to basic benefits, including basic retirement pension, because of incapacity or unemployment.