§ 39. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding the number of registered unemployed persons receiving neither unemployment benefit nor supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. DeakinsLeaving aside those whose claims to benefit have not been decided on the day a count is made, persons who are registered as unemployed may not be receiving benefit for a number of reasons. Unemployment benefit is not payable if a person has not completed his three waiting days; if he has exhausted his title to benefit; if his contribution record is deficient; or if he is unable to show that he is capable of and available for work. Moreover, a person may be disqualified for receiving benefit for up to six weeks if, for example, he has lost his employment through misconduct, has left an employment voluntarily without just cause, has without good cause refused an offer of suitable employment, or has neglected to avail himself of a reasonable opportunity of suitable employment.
Supplementary benefit is payable only if a person's resources fall short of his requirements. It is not payable, for example, to a man whose wife's earnings are sufficient for the family's support, nor is it payable to a married woman living with her husband, though her requirements would be taken into account on any claim made by him.