asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether a female student taking a teacher training or BEd degree course, who registers for unemployment benefit, can only receive this benefit during the summer vacation if she is not married.

It is not a condition for unemployment benefit for a woman claimant that she should be unmarried. If she satisfies the other conditions for the benefit, which include contribution conditions and a requirement that she must be available for employment, it can be paid to her.