§ Mr. Andrew Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many suspensions of unemployment benefit pending inquiries into availability for employment were made (a) in May 1980 and (b) in the most recent month for which figures are available;
(2) how many refusals to pay unemployment benefit due to non-availability for employment were made (a) in May 1980 and (b) in the most recent month for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LeeThere are no records maintained to show the number of suspensions of unemployment benefit on the question of availability for employment. Statistics on the number of disallowances of unemployment on the same grounds are maintained, but are not compiled on a monthly basis. However, for the last quarter of 1980 the monthly average was 4,000, and for the last quarter of 1986 the monthly average over 12,000.
§ Mr. Andrew Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy on seeking the recovery of an overpayment of unemployment benefit where a question arises of a person's availability for work for a period during which he or she has been in receipt of unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. LeeAn overpayment of unemployment benefit is recoverable by the Secretary of State only where the independent adjudicating authorities have determined that the overpayment has been obtained by misrepresentation of, or failure to disclose, a material fact (Social Security Act 1986, section 53 (1)). It is the Secretary of State's normal policy to seek recovery in such cases.