§ Mr. Colin Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the long-term unemployed whose unemployment benefit has expired and who do not qualify for supplementary benefit but who otherwise satisfy the criteria set out in Manpower Services Commission leaflet ESP 88 (revised 2/83) are eligible for enterprise allowance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe main aim of the enterprise allowance scheme is to remove the potential disincentive which unemployed people who wish to set up their own business may face because of the loss of unemployment or supplementary benefit. It is therefore paid only to people who are receiving benefit at the time they apply.