HC Deb 31 March 1994 vol 240 cc962-3W
Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent attending a lecture tour or conference abroad disqualifies an unemployed person from claiming income support.

Mr. Ancram

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from A. Wylie to Mr. Ken Maginnis, dated 30 March 1994:

I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on the extent to which attending a lecture tour or conference abroad disqualifies an unemployed person from claiming Income Support.

Unemployed people claiming Income Support, who are required to be available for employment, do not qualify for Income Support for periods of absences abroad.

I hope this explains the position to you.