HC Deb 24 October 1989 vol 158 cc424-5W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in the most recent 12-month period, how many claimants called for Restart interview have failed to attend their interview; how many of those failing to attend are believed to have found work; how many of those failing to attend have not found work; how many failing to attend have had their benefit stopped and how many of these have successfully appealed against the benefit decision; and how many failing to attend have subsequently re-registered as unemployed.

Mr. Eggar

Between August 1988 and August 1989 a total of 3,033,000 people were called in for Restart interview of which 316,400 were referred to unemployment benefit offices for failing to attend that interview. A total of 28,000 (8.8 per cent.) of these had their benefits or credits disallowed.

The other information requested is not available.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment why it was decided to exclude from the questionnaires to be completed by those attending Restart interviews any specific questions regarding any university degree or professional qualification which the interviewee may have.

Mr. Eggar

Question 4 of the employment interview form collects details of the most commonly held qualifications. It is limited in order to keep the form to a reasonable length. Question 5 contains a space which enables interviewees to insert any qualifications held which are not already included on the form that will help them in their search for work. Degree or professional qualifications can be shown in this space.

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