§ Mr. BatesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the policy of his Department when dealing with claims for unemployment benefit by those formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Michael Bates, dated 18 October 1993:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to him about the policy of his Department when dealing with claims for unemployment benefit by those formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields. This is something which falls within the responsibilities he has delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.All claims for unemployment benefit, including those from people formerly employed in offshore oil and gas fields, are dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Social Security legislation. Unemployed people who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions, are available for and actively seeking employed earners employment in GB, and are not disqualified from receiving benefit for any reason, may receive unemployment benefit.I hope this is helpful.As decided by the Administration Committee of the House of Commons, Chief executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.