§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons signing the unemployment register at the Falls Road and Shankill Road local offices in West Belfast, respectively, have been suspended or disqualified from the receipt of unemployment supplementary benefit on the grounds that they refused suitable employment.
§ Mr. Carter, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 25th April 1978], gave the following answer:
This information is not readily available.
In the three months ended 31st March 1978, 28 persons signing on at the Falls Road social security office have had their unemployment benefit suspended pending consideration by the insurance officer of reasons given for failing to accept offers of employment. The insurance officer disqualified 18 persons from receiving benefit for periods of up to six weeks but no disqualification was imposed on the remaining 10 persons whose unemployment benefit was fully restored.
In the corresponding period, 27 persons signing on at Shankhill Road social security office had unemployment benefit suspended for failing to accept an offer of employment. The insurance officer 613W disqualified 12 persons, and unemployment benefit was restored to the remainder.