§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many miners who have retired under the early retirement scheme have been disqualified from unemployment benefit on the grounds that they voluntarily left their employment without just cause.
§ Mr. OrmeNo record is kept of the information requested. Most miners claim unemployment benefit as soon as they leave their employment but are assumed by the National Coal Board to be disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit for up to six weeks. The board automatically pays full early retirement benefit for this period unless a claimant is in receipt of another benefit or has taken up employment elsewhere.