§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will reverse the decision that workers at the Timex factory, Dundee who accepted voluntary redundancy received an ex gratia payment that is part of their final pay to be considered as pay in lieu of notice, in order to allow them to qualify for unemployment benefit; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterDecisions on unemployment benefit entitlement are made not by the Government, but by the statutorily appointed independent adjudicating authorities and I am unable to intervene in their decisions.