§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the proposed commencement date of the 16 guided learning hours provision embraced in the Jobseekers Bill. [26610]
§ Miss WiddecombeI will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if employment service officials will have the power between 1 April 1996 and the implementation date of jobseeker's allowance to issue a jobseeker's direction to claimants. [26612]
§ Miss WiddecombeNo; but claimants will continue to be subject to sanction if they refuse or fail to carry out an official recommendation given with a view to assisting them find a particular type of employment.
§ Mr. RooneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if new claimants between 1 April 1996 and the implementation date of jobseeker's allowance will have to sign a jobseeker's agreement as a condition of benefit or if they will continue to be issued with the advisory back-to-work plan. [26611]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe jobseeker's agreement will be introduced when jobseeker's allowance is implemented in October 1996. The voluntary back-to-work plan will continue to be used until then. Different versions and processes will be tested in a small number of offices on a voluntary basis within the existing legislation in order to help plan the smooth introduction of JSA.