HC Deb 26 November 1987 vol 123 cc263-5W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the industrial relations practices of Electronic Data Systems in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Mr. Nicholls

None.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits have been granted to those working directly or indirectly, for Electronic Data reviewed and the disqualification lifted or altered and (c) estimates of the proportions that fell under each of the heads (a) to (d) of section 20(1); and if he will also show how many of these were (i) disqualifications in respect of unemployment benefit alone and (ii) abatement of supplementary benefit where there is no unemployment benefit entitlement;

(2) if he will publish information on the number of claims for unemployment benefit made in the three month period before 5 October 1986, showing how many of these claims were initially disqualified under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, together with a breakdown showing (a) the number of these initial disqualifications that were for less than six weeks, (b) the number that were later reviewed and the disqualification lifted or altered and (c) estimates of the proportions that fell under each of the heads (a) to (d) of section 20(1);

(3) if he will publish information on the number of claims for unemployment benefit made in the three month period after 5 October 1986, showing how many of these claims were initially disqualified under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975, together with a breakdown showing (a) the number of these initial disqualifications that were for less than 13 weeks, (b) the number that were later reviewed and the disqualification lifted or altered and (c) estimates of the proportions that fell under each of the heads (a) to (d) of section 20(1).

Mr. Lee

Approximately 1–6 million new claims for unemployment benefit were made in the 13 weeks ended 4 October 1986, and 1.1 million in the 13 weeks ended 3 January 1987.

Details of adjudication officers' decisions disqualifying claims for unemployment benefit under section 20(1) of the Social Security Act 1975 in each of the quarters ended 30 September 1986, 31 December 1986, 31 March 1987 and 30 June 1987 are shown in the table; the numbers in brackets represent decisions, whenever made, varied on review in each quarter. No analysis is made of the length of disqualification imposed or the number of consequent decisions abating supplementary benefit, and this; information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Systems in the United Kingdom; if any hon. or right hon. Members have made representations in support of such work permits being granted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

Since 1984,204 work permits have been issued for employment with Electronic Data Systems. Information about work permits issued in respect of persons working for employers associated with the company is not collated centrally. No representations in support of work permit applications from Electronic Data Systems have been made by any right hon. or hon. Member.