David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 5, line 18, before "The", to insert the following:

"(1) No person shall have his/her jobseeker's allowance reduced on the grounds of refusal to apply for a job unless the job declined is both suitable and appropriate.".

I tabled this amendment after the debate on Second Stage when I pointed out that the Minister had on several occasions in her speech referred to the reduction in jobseeker's allowance if a person had not taken a suitable or appropriate - I do not remember her exact words - job. She returned to this point on a couple of occasions. I then spoke to some of the advisers whether this was contained in the principal Act that was being amended because it obviously was not in the text of the Bill we have before us and I was told it was not. After subsequent discussion I was told it was intended to bring this forward in the spring.

I do not think is good enough. I will be pleased if I draw the Minister out to make it clear that this is the Government's firm intention but I do not see any reason it cannot be done now and why this House cannot, quite uncontroversially, show its approval and give a sense to the Minister's express statements in her own speech and amend the Bill to make it sensible. In light of the Minister's speech I am surprised this wording was not contained in the legislation. Is it the Minister's intention to suggest we wait until spring? I wonder what she means by "the spring", because that is a rather vague seasonal phrase and it could mean anything and I would like a specific date. What quality of undertaking or commitment is this? The Minister is a woman of sterling honesty and principle. Others of her Government and her party are not and have treated this House to numerous examples where commitments have been given and when they were challenged, replied that it was not an absolute commitment. If this House is given a commitment, I want to know the date, whether the commitment is absolute and binding, and whether it will be done. I would much prefer the Minister to act upon her own words and include this form of words or some other suitable word. Is Report Stage being taken this afternoon?