§ Mr. Penhaligonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of unemployed workers in Cornwall in the past 10 years who have been ineligible to claim unemployment benefit through being classified as seasonal workers; and what proportion of all unemployed workers they represent;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of unemployed workers in Great Britain in the past 10 years who have been ineligible to claim unemployment benefit, through being classified as seasonal workers; and what proportion of all unemployed workers they represented.
§ Mrs ChalkerI regret that information is not available in the form requested. Information is, however available about the number of unemployment benefit claims which were disallowed because the claimant failed to satisfy the additional conditions which apply to seasonal workers.
The following gives the figures for the South-West region and for Great Britain, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of all claims for unemployment benefit, for the past 10 years. Comparable information is not available for Cornwall for the 10-year period, but in 1980 over 40 per cent. of the disallowances shown for the South-West region related to claimants in Cornwall.
that their incidence has increased. The defects notified are those recognised within seven days of birth; evidence from studies suggests that only a minority of cardiovascular system malformations are recognised at this stage and an increase in the numbers notified could reflect factors such as improved detection and reporting. I am making inquiries to see whether there is any evidence that incidence as such has increased, and will write to the hon. Member.