§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what protection there will be, under the more stringent tests of availability for work under the arrangements for the new jobseeker's allowance, for claimants who have been deemed capable of work for the purpose of incapacity benefit but whose handicaps may genuinely restrict their availability for work.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
A decision in incapacity benefit that a person is capable of work will apply for all other benefits. In our proposals for the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance we recognise, as now, that some people with disabilities may have difficulties in making themselves available for the full range of employment opportunities. They will, therefore, be able to restrict their availability to the type or hours of work they are able to undertake within the limits of their physical or mental condition.