§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if attendance on or completion of a course relating to the Government's restart programme or the proposed six-month training programme for the long-term unemployed under 25 years will affect entitlement to supplementary benefit, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Major[pursuant to his reply, 23 October, c. 984]: Attendance on or completion of a restart course does not affect entitlement to supplementary benefit. The new six-month training course will be experimental and will be run on a pilot basis in nine areas. As participation during these pilots will be voluntary, benefit sanctions will not apply to persons who do not accept offers or who leave courses prematurely.