HC Deb 06 August 1976 vol 916 cc1138-9W
Mr. Goodlad

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the Northwich area currently receive temporary employment subsidy.

Mr. Golding

The temporary employment subsidy is paid to firms who agree to defer impending redundancies. As at 30th July payments are being made in support of 114 jobs in the Northwich area.

Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what period of time will have to elapse under the proposed revised agreements before persons who are registered as unemployed, having been on holiday in Spain for up to one year, and having returned to the United Kingdom to collect their back unemployment benefits, will be able to return to Spain for a further period of holiday and still be able to claim unemployment benefit;

(2) whether retired civil servants below the age of 65 years who are on the unemployment register and also on holiday in Spain will be eligible to receive their back unemployment pay on their return to the United Kingdom under the new measures he intends to take;

(3) if he will insist that persons registered as unemployed who are going on holiday to Spain will be required to make contact each week with their local employment office under his new proposals;

(4) what steps will be taken to ensure that persons registered as unemployed who are holidaying in Spain leave valid addresses with their local employment office under the new arrangements he is proposing;

(5) whether unemployment benefits will be withdrawn from people registered as unemployed who are holidaying in Spain and fail to report their whereabuts to their local employment office under his new proposals.

Mr. Ennals

I have been asked to reply.

If the hon. Gentleman had been in the House when I made my statement on Wednesday 4th August [Vol 916, c. 1716–1725]—he would know that I have no intentions whatsoever that people on holiday in Spain should be able to claim unemployment benefit. It is a rumour spread by certain newspapers and some Members of Pariament, including the hon. Gentleman himself. I am amending the agreement to ensure that no unemployment benefit is payable at any time by the United Kingdom for any person absent abroad in Spain.