§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) why unemployment benefits are being denied to persons who are out of work as a consequence of the coal mining dispute and are not directly involved in the strike; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many persons in Barnsley and district are employed by AMCO Industrial Holdings Ltd. are being denied unemployment benefits because they have been laid off as a result of the coal mining dispute; by what statutory powers these payments are being denied; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe benefit entitlement of someone who loses employment as a result of a trade dispute is governed by section 19 of the Social Security Act 1975. Decisions on claims are made by the independent adjudicating authorities.
A total of 238 people in Barnsley and district employed by AMCO Industrial Holdings have been disqualified from receiving benefit.