§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what effect withdrawal of supplementary benefit from a large number of part-time students will have on his Department's labour market policy.
§ Mr. AlisonI am unable at this time to estimate whether the revised interpretation of the Supplementary Benefit (Conditions of Entitlement) Regulations 1981, which I understand is being issued by the chief supplementary benefits officer, will have any significant effect on my Department's policy, but on information258W presently available to me I have no reason to think that it will. I understand my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services will be keeping the detailed provisions of the regulations under review and I am sure he will keep me informed of any employment implications.