asked the Secretary of State for Employment in what way a person's availability for work is considered before he can receive either unemployment pay or supplementary benefit.

An unemployed benefit claimant is normally required to register for employment at an employment office or jobcentre of the Manpower Services Commission or a local authority careers service office. Any information leading to doubt as to availability for work is reported to the unemployment benefit office. These reports, together with the comments of the claimant, are referred to the adjudicating authorities which decide entitlement to unemployment benefit. The decisions of the adjudicating authorities are passed to the Supplementary Benefits Commission which decides entitlement to supplementary benefit.