§ Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Social Security if she will provide figures of numbers of persons drawing unemployment benefit who are already employed during part of the week in which they claim benefit but who, due to existing regulations, are entitled to do so.
§ Miss HerbisonI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Social Security if she will investigate the regulations governing claims for unemployment benefit in order to safeguard against the payment of benefit to those in well-paid employment during a period of the week in which they lodge their benefit claims.
§ Miss HerbisonSection 3(1) of the National Insurance Act, 1966, already ensures that the first six consecutive days, excluding Sundays and holidays, of any period of short-time working or lay-off do not attract the new earnings-related supplements to unemployment benefit. From March, 1969, when this rule will apply to flat-rate benefit as well, no unemployment benefit at all will be payable during short-time working or for the first week of lay-off.