40. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increased services now required from the staffs of local employment exchanges, he will review the policy of reducing their numbers.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am satisfied that the staffing economies at local offices, due to changes in organisation, procedure and staffing standards, should go on. The general staffing position at local offices is, however, always under review and the numbers in post are adjusted as necessary to changes in the volume of work.
Mr. LeeWhat is the extent of the economies which the right hon. Gentleman has in mind in view of the fact that there is not only an increase in unemployment but also increasing partial employment and that people might be required to go to other jobs? Would the Minister not reconsider the whole question of running down staff at this time?
§ Mr. MacleodThe figures on which I have been working were given in the OFFICIAL REPORT in answer to Questions by the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Redhead). As to the second 27 part of the supplementary question, the review of standards takes place twice a year and the matter mainly taken into account is the trend of employment and unemployment.