HC Deb 05 November 1974 vol 880 c97W
34. Mr. Percival

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider tightening up the regulations so as to ensure that claimants for unemployment benefit who are registered for and capable of work do not refuse employment offered to them on unreasonable grounds.

Mr. O'Malley

Under provisions of the National Insurance Acts, persons who refuse suitable employment without good cause can be disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit for up to six weeks on each occasion. In addition, repeated refusal may lead to a decision that the claimant is not available for employment and therefore not eligible for unemployment benefit on that ground. I am very conscious of the need to prevent abuse of the National Insurance Fund, and this matter is constantly kept under review.