§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Paymaster General how many people in Wales have so far lost unemployment benefit as a result of the restart programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo one loses benefit solely as a result of the restart programme. People are not entitled to benefit under long-standing legal rules if they fail to attend an interview, or are not available for work or refuse suitable employment.
At 9 October 1986 the number of people in Wales who had lost benefit because of failure to attend a restart interview was 290, the number of people in Wales who lost benefit because of their non-availability for work as disclosed by a restart interview was 53 and the number of people in Wales who lost benefit because of refusal of suitable employment was 10.
Statistical records do not distinguish between unemployment and supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Paymaster General what is the total number of persons in St. Helens who have had their benefits suspended for failure to attend restart interviews at the latest date available.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeUp to 9 October 1986, the latest date for which figures are available, three people in St. Helens had been disallowed unemployment or supplementary benefit by independent adjudication officers for failure to attend restart interviews.