§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of Employment and the Department of Health and Social Security concerning the effect of the revised guidelines on the availability for work test on disabled people; if she will now transfer all responsibility for unemployment benefit to the Secretary of State for Social Services; and if she will make a statement.
51W
§ The Prime MinisterThe two Departments have worked closely together on the revised availability for work test. The guidelines to local offices stress the importance of close liaison between the two Departments.
52WThe Secretary of State for Social Services has responsibility for policy on unemployment benefit; the Department of Employment act as his agents in administering it.
A study is at present in progress into the relationship between the two Departments and their respective networks of offices. No conclusions have yet been reached.