§ Mrs. Reneé Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases the unemployed have had to give up doing voluntary work in order not to be disqualified for unemployment benefit; if he plans to amend the rules; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 22 July 1980, c. 217]: I regret that the numbers of unemployed people who give up voluntary work for the reasons given are not recorded, but if the hon. Member has a case in mind I will be glad to consider it.
Unpaid voluntary work will not affect a person's title to unemployment benefit if he can satisfy the independent adjudicating authorities as to his continuing availability for employment. My right hon. Friend has no plans to amend the long-standing rules. However, I would refer the hon. Member to the undertaking by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security to the Members of Standing Committee E on 6 March 1980, in columns 1737–8, that he would consider referring the question of voluntary work and unemployment benefit to 95W the new Social Security Advisory Committee.