§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what provision will be made in the job seeker's allowance legislation to ensure that those who cannot work on a particular day, or in particular types of work, for reasons of religious belief or conscience, will not be disqualified from benefit for failing to accept the first job offered.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe job seeker's allowance White Paper sets out the Government's intention that job seekers will be allowed to restrict their availability for work on grounds of religious or conscientious convictions. We similarly intend such convictions are to be taken into account in considering whether job seekers have good cause for refusing work which is offered to them.