§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement outlining the conditions of entitlement for supplementary benefit as they apply to persons in further education and especially advanced education.
§ Mr. NewtonThere are a number of conditions of entitlement for supplementary benefit which apply to all claimants. Where a student is excluded from benefit, it is likely to be because of the condition which requires able-bodied people under retirement age to be available for work. A student on a full-time course of further education, whether advanced or not, is unlikely to fulfil this condition in term times, though he may fulfil it and qualify for benefit in vacations. A student who is in a group not required to be available for work (for instance, single parents and some disabled people) is eligible for supplementary benefit throughout the year including term-times. A person who is studying part-time may qualify for supplementary benefit if he is available for work and is prepared to leave his studies should an opportunity for employment arise.