HC Deb 07 May 1993 vol 224 cc257-8W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her answer of 21 April,Official Report, column 130, on the careers guidance diploma, how many students are studying part-time; and what are the figures for Scotland.

Mr. McLoughlin

Further to my reply to the hon. Member of 21 April 1993, column130, I have obtained from the local government management board the following information: Number of students in United Kingdom currently studying part-time for Part 1 of the Diploma in Careers guidance, 90. Of these, the number studying in Scotland, 5.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations she undertook prior to turning the post of chair of the Health and Safety Executive from a full-time position to a part-time one; and what impact she estimates this will have on the work of the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. McLoughlin

The decision to make the next chair of the Health and Safety Commission a part-time appointment reflects the loading of the post in current circumstances. Those circumstances include the strengthening of the senior management structure of the Health and Safety Executive last year, when a second full-time deputy director general was appointed to work with the existing full-time director general and deputy. The work of the Health and Safety Commission and Executive remains unchanged.

Mr. Callaghan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current number of job vacancies in the Greater Manchester area.

Mr. McLoughlin

In March 1993, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of unfilled vacancies in jobcentres covering the Greater Manchester area was 4,840. This figure has not been seasonally adjusted.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make a statement on the importance and on the future role of the Health and Safety Executive.

Mr. McLoughlin

The future role of the Health and Safety Executive will be to continue its good work in promoting health and safety in the workplace while ensuring businesses are not burdened with unnecessary bureaucracy.