HC Deb 04 March 1988 vol 128 cc735-7W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether unemployed adults will still be entitled to choose to study under the 21-hour rule after the adult training scheme is launched; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The introduction of the new adult training programme from September 1988 will not affect the position of people who choose to study under the DHSS's 21-hour rule.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether a decision to undertake to study under the 21-hour rule is treated as a positive outcome after a restart interview; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will include the option of studying under the 21-hour rule as one of the means of opportunities offered in the course of restart interviews.

Mr. Cope

So long as they remain available for work the option to pursue a course of study within the terms of the "21-hour rule" may be considered an appropriate way of helping unemployed people back into work. In such circumstances it would be regarded as a positive outcome of a restart interview.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people are currently studying under the 21-hour rule.

Mr. Cope

I regret that the information requested is not available.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether individuals who join a job club are counted as unemployed in the unemployment figures.

Mr. Nicholls

Those people who are registered as unemployed when they join a job club remain on the register and are included in the unemployment figures.

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