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The Committee notes the detailed information supplied by the Government in its report and the attached texts of laws and regulations. The Committee also notes, from the information supplied to the Council of Europe in the Government's twenty-sixth annual report on the application of the European Code of Social Security, the various changes which are planned or have been decided upon by the Government respecting sickness insurance, unemployment insurance and old-age insurance. It hopes that the above changes will not affect the proper application of the Parts of the Convention that have been accepted. It requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the implementation of these reforms, as well as information on the new incapacity benefit which will replace sickness benefit and on the jobseeker's allowance.

The Committee also notes the comments made by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which were transmitted by the Government with its communication dated 1 February 1995 and which concern the application of Article 69(f) and (i) of the Convention, in relation to unemployment benefit (Part IV). Under these provisions, benefit may only be suspended where the contingency has been caused by the wilful misconduct of the person concerned or when the person has left the employment voluntarily without just cause. As these and certain other matters were raised in its previous comments, the Committee has examined them in a new direct request. The Committee therefore requests the Government to refer to the above request.

[The Government is asked to report in detail by 1 September 1995 at the latest.]