§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to inform women who are available for work of their right to claim unemployment benefit and sign on for credited contributions.
§ Mr. RossiWomen—and men—who are available for work are not automatically entitled to unemployment benefit; they also have to satisfy the contribution conditions for benefit (though they may get credits if they do not satisfy those conditions) and the other conditions of entitlement.
The same information about benefit rights is available to women and men. Those school-leavers—the great majority—with whom the Careers Service are in touch are given leaflet NP12, which includes some general information on unemployment benefit and credits and refers the reader to leaflet NI12 for fuller details. Thereafter, anyone seeking such information may enquire at any unemployment benefit office; and the leaflets are also available at local social security offices.