§ 63. Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the effects of the statutory definition of a seasonal worker for the purpose of determining entitlement to unemployment benefit.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that, in general, the rules for the receipt of unemployment benefit by seasonal workers fairly balance the interests of these workers and those of the main body of national insurance contributors. The national insurance advisory committee considered the seasonal worker rules and, in 1977, concluded that additional conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit by seasonal workers were still needed.
Our predecessors did not feel able, on grounds of cost, to implement certain changes in the rules recommended by the committee, and in present economic circumstances we do not consider that these changes warrant the substantial additional expenditure they would entail. If, however, the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I shall be glad to examine it if he will let me have particulars.