§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for unemployment benefit were disallowed on availability grounds in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 and at the latest date for which figures are available; and whether these claimants are included in the overall unemployment totals.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information available is given in the table. Claimants who are disallowed unemployment benefit on availability grounds are included in the unemployment totals if they continue to sign on as unemployed.
Year Number 1979 36,500 1980 52,400 1981 49,400 1982 62,000 1983 57,200 1984 49,100 1985* 20,200 * Up to end June