§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of the experimental scheme to pay unemployment benefit fortnightly rather than weekly.
§ Mr. GoldingI have been asked to reply.
Experimental arrangements for claiming and paying unemployment benefit fortnightly began on 5th September. Reports and records of the trials for the three months ending 2nd December are now being evaluated and will form the basis of a report which will be made available before any decision is taken about the extension of the arrangements.