§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the definition of suitable jobs in leaflets given to unemployed persons does not discourage them from applying for a wider range of positions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiA person who refuses a suitable job may have his unemployment benefit disallowed for up to six weeks. In order to protect claimants from being penalised if they refuse to blackleg or take a job involving "sweated labour" the Social Security Act 1975 specifies types of employment—for example where wages and conditions 499W are not as good as those generally paid—which will not be regarded as "suitable" for disqualification purposes; and the leaflet to which my hon. Friend refers merely reflects the provisions of the Act. I am satisfied that, in the limited context in which it is used, the definition in the leaflet does not discourage claimants from applying for a reasonable range of jobs.