HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc156-7W
Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, how many herring fishermen who made claims for unemployment benefit in 1963 had these claims disallowed; and if he will give the corresponding figures for the preceding five years.

Mrs. Thatcher

Details of claims by herring fishermen are not kept separately from those of other claimants, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has made inquiries which show that the number of herring fishermen whose claims for unemployment benefit have been disallowed under the Seasonal Workers regulations is now considerably smaller than it was a few years ago.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will reconsider the classification of herring fishermen as seasonal workers.

Mrs. Thatcher

Herring fishermen as a class are not treated as seasonal workers for national insurance purposes. Whether a person is treated as a seasonal worker depends on his individual pattern of work in whatever occupation or occupations he follows.