§ 21. Mr. Roger Kingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he now has any plans to raise the £4 earnings limit for those in receipt of supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans at present to do so.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to amend the "S" manual 560W instructions to benefit officers advising them to apply the trades disputes rules to supplementary benefit claimants who are registering sick; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe interpretation of the law, and guidance on its interpretation to adjudication officers contained in the "S" manual, is a matter for the independent adjudication authorities.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether any person unfit for work by virtue of sickness is entitled, subject to his circumstances, to supplementary benefit without the application of availability tests irrespective of whether or not he is involved in a trades dispute.
§ Mr. NewtonUnder regulation 6(c) of the Supplementary Benefit (Condition of Entitlement) Regulations a person who is unfit for work by virtue of sickness is not required to be available for employment.