§ Mr. Prescottasked the Paymaster General how many people have been refused benefit in the availability for work test pilot areas; how many have had their benefit restored by the independent adjudicators; and if he will give the figures for each of the pilot areas concerned.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDuring the experiment a total of 549 claimants were disallowed benefit by the independent adjudication authorities on grounds of availability. A total of 27 subsequently had their claims allowed following appeal, with a further 20 appeals still under consideration. The figures for each experimental office are as follows:
Number of cases disallowed by the Adjudication Authorities Numbers allowed on appeal by the Adjudication Authorities Office Cardiff B 56 1 Alloa 25 — St. Austell 55 3 Hereford 57 2 Tooting B 44 2 Southend B 132 4 Newcastle 3 35 3 Nottingham B 32 6 Ramsgate 53 5 Brentwood 25 — Crewe 20 — Halifax 15 1 TOTAL 549 27