§ Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which apprentices at Marton and Shireoaks colliery, who are unable to work during the current dispute, have been refused benefit at the Worksop, Nottinghamshire office while apprentices at Maltby, Donnington and Kearton collieries in the same position have been paid benefit at the Donnington, Yorkshire office.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkApprentices from Marton and Shireoaks collieries have been disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit by the independent adjudicating officer. An appeal has been lodged against this decision. Claims by apprentices from Maltby, Donnington and 53W Keaton collieries have been allowed by a different adjudicating officer but we understand that this decision is being reconsidered.