§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report the guidance sent to local employment offices on the subject of paying unemployment benefit to persons on holiday in Spain, who claim to be able to meet his availability for work criterion.
§ Mr. John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th August 1976; Vol. 916, c. 1135–1137], gave the following information:
Questions about the satisfaction of the availability condition are a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities who decide all claims to benefit.
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§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases there have been in the past year when unemployment benefits have been held for claimants until they return from holiday.
§ Mr. John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th August 1976; Vol. 916, c. 1136–1137], gave the following information:
Separate records are not kept of claims for unemployment benefit in respect of holidays.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if employment opportunities become available to unemployed men and women holidaying in Spain, whether this information will be conveyed to them by post, telegram or telephone; and who will bear the cost of the communication under the new measures he is proposing.
§ Mr. John Grant,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th August 1976; Vol. 916, c. 1136–7], gave the following information:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that information about employment opportunities notified to the Employment Services Agency is brought to the attention of suitably qualified unemployed men and women whilst on holiday if the persons concerned have previously indicated their availability for employment during the holiday and if the employmeent needs of the employer or the jobseeker requires such action. These same arrangements would of course apply in the event of an unemployed person satisfying the eligibility conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit whilst on holiday in Spain. The method of communication—e.g. telephone, telegram, or letter post—varies according to the particular circumstances and the cost would be borne by the Employment Service Agency.