§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it is her policy to refuse social security benefits to 87W unemployed persons over 16 years of age who have left school before the end of the term, having fulfilled assessment obligations and obtained a leaving certificate.
§ Mr. O'MalleySuch young people are excluded by Section 9 of the Supplementary Benefits Act 1966 from claiming benefit in their own right. I am told that the Supplementary Benefits Commission regards the exclusion as applying until the end of the term when compulsory education ceases. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that no assessment obligations or leaving certificates are involved in the administration of the law on compulsory school attendance in England and Wales.