§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will clarify the entitlement, or otherwise, to receipt of supplementary benefit of Easter school leavers who register for the benefit and who subsequently, during the summer, return to school to take (i) CSE examinations or (ii) O-levels and the 16-plus.
§ Mr. RossiSupplementary benefit entitlement for pupils eligible to leave school at Easter who return to school for any period depends on their child benefit position. If they are regarded for child benefit purposes as in full-time education their entitlement to supplementary benefit is deferred until the fixed date at the end of the summer holidays. It is for the independent adjudicating authorities to decide, having regard to the circumstances of the individual case, whether the person is undergoing full-time education. CSE candidates are required to be in full-time attendance at school at the time the examination is taken. There is no similar requirement for O-level candidates. The single system at 16-plus is not an immediate issue in this context.
My hon. Friend will reply to the hon. Member's letter shortly.