§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances those on strike are able to claim unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. WaddingtonAnyone may claim unemployment benefit, but it is for the independent adjudicating authorities appointed under social security law to consider whether there is any entitlement to benefit. One of the grounds for disqualification from receiving benefit is that the person claiming has lost employment by reason of a stoppage of work due to a trade dispute at his place of employment.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Employment under what circumstances unemployment benefit may be paid to Merchant Navy ratings who are unwilling to report normally as available for posting to jobs on board ship.
245W
§ Mr. WaddingtonUnemployment benefit is being paid to Merchant Navy ratings who have completed voyages and whose leave has expired. Where the Department has been informed that a rating has left a ship because of the dispute or has refused an offer of employment aboard ship, payment of benefit has been suspended and the claim referred to the independent adjudicating authorities appointed under social security law to decide benefit entitlement. In the particular circumstances of this dispute there are difficulties in identifying refusals of offers of employment and we are in touch with those concerned about this.