§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why benefits are being denied to workers occupying the factory at British Leyland, Bathgate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerClaims for benefits are decided by the independent adjudicating authorities. People who lose employment by reason of a stoppage of work which is due to a trade dispute at their place of employment are normally disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit so long as the stoppage continues. The supplementary benefit exclusion follows that for unemployment benefit. Although a person involved in a trade dispute may be entitled to supplementary benefit for his family, and final earnings he receives exclude him from getting it from a forward period from the date the earnings are payable.
Under this rule the workers at British Leyland, Bathgate who got a week's earnings on 21 January were not entitled to supplementary benefit up to and including 27 January. Those who have received a further week's earnings are excluded up to and including 3 February.