§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General what account he took of Commissioners' decisions CU 235/59 (KL), R3/60 (UB), R6/60 (UB), R26/60 (UB) and R29/60 (UB) before devising the new rules on the availability for work test for people with domestic responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThese are matters for the independent adjudication authorities who were consulted in preparing the new guidelines on availability testing.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Paymaster General (1) if he referred his proposals on the availability for work test to (a) the Social Security Advisory Committee, (b) the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Disabled People or (c) any other advisory committee; if he will now undertake urgent consultations on the effect of the rules on disabled people; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received on the effect of the new guidelines on the availability for work test on disabled people; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have made no changes to the benefit entitlement conditions for sick or disabled people and no change in the law. Therefore, there is no reason to consult these bodies.
The new availability questionnaire will more readily enable us to identify claimants, including the sick, disabled and those who care for them, who may be entitled to benefits other than those that require them to be available for work. It will also identify people who can be given help by disablement resettlement officers.
I have received no representations on the effect of the new guidelines on disabled people.
66W
§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Paymaster General ( I) what is the total number of persons being seen on an average day by benefit officers conducting availability testing interviews in the St. Helens area;
(2) what is the total number of persons whose benefit has been terminated or suspended as a result of interviews conducted on the availability test in the St. Helens area;
(3) if he will make it his policy to advise claimants interviewed on the availability test in the St. Helens area to seek independent advice before completion of the questionnaire.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe unemployment benefit office at St. Helens did not take part in the experimental testing of availability for work other than keeping statistics for comparison purposes. There were no suspensions or disallowances on availability grounds arising out of the experiment although the usual procedure followed by all offices would identify some cases of doubtful availability in the normal way.
In the past, claimants have not been advised to seek independent advice before completion of claim forms and I do not intend to change this policy.