Mr. BowlsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Battersea,Official Report, 22 December, column 465, what investigations he has made into the non-attendance at restart interviews of 1.5 million out of the 6.5 million called for interview since 1 July 1986.
§ Mr. LeeEveryone who fails to attend a restart interview is followed up. Some people do not attend for acceptable reasons—for example, they may have started or be about to start work. However, those people who, after 187W two invitations, fail to attend their restart interviews are attending. If claimants still do not attend an interview investigated further to find out their reasons for not 188W attending. If claimants still do not attend an interview without a valid reason their benefits are withdrawn until they agree to attend.