§ 50. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to complete his discussions with the Department of Education and Science in relation to talks about benefit when a person is engaged in part-time study; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonOfficials from both Departments have been considering whether there is any scope for doing 159W more to help genuinely unemployed people make fuller use of the opportunities available for study, without prejudice to the principle that supplementary benefit is not an appropriate means of educational support. In so doing they have had regard particularly to the recommendations of Youthaid in their recent report on the 21-hour rule, "Studying on the Dole". We hope to receive shortly a final report of the future research that Youthaid has carried out for the DHSS, and will wish to consider this before concluding the current discussions.