§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what progress has been made with the review concerning the availability of United Kingdom social benefits to nationals of other countries within the European Economic Community, with a view to preventing systematic abuses;
(2) if, in view of the abuses by nationals of other EEC countries which affects South Coast holiday resorts, he will ensure that his review on the availability of United Kingdom social benefits is concluded and remedial action taken before the next holiday season.
§ Mr. PrenticeI take my hon. Friend's point, but the scope for abuse by nationals of other EEC countries in south coast holiday resorts is limited. Claims by people, whether British or foreign, who move into areas where it is established that regular seasonal work is readily available are subject to special control arrangements. Awards of supplementary benefit are made in the usual way but suitable claimants are told that they ought to be able to find work within two weeks and further payments of benefit are conditional upon the production of evidence that serious attempts have been made to find work.
On the progress of our study, I cannot add to the answer my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend on 6 November. [Vol. 973, c. 156.]