§ Mr. Beithasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received to date about his announcement of 22nd July that the rights of male occupational pensioners to unemployment benefit would be restricted; and what replies he has made.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettA number of representations have been received from various organisations and from private individuals. Almost all of these have been referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. Where a reply has been sent from the Treasury it has explained that the Government are taking this measure as a contribution towards necessary reductions in public expenditure.