§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to protect the entitlement to national insurance benefits of unemployed men over 60 years who have been receiving supplementary benefit for a year or more, who are not registered for work with the Manpower Services Commission, and who get supplementary benefit at the long-term rate.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend laid on 2 November the Social Security (Unemployment, Sickness and Invalidity Benefit and Credits) Amendment Regulations 1981 which ensure that the people to whom my hon. Friend has referred will continue to receive credits for national insurance benefits while they get supplementary benefit at the long-term rate, and this will count as a period of interruption of employment. Their entitlement to national insurance benefits will thus be safeguarded.