HC Deb 10 July 1967 vol 750 cc77-8
24. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for legislation to ensure that employers notify employment exchanges of all their vacancies.

55. Mr. Watkins

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he now has for ensuring that employers notify all their vacancies to labour exchanges.

20. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for legislation to make it compulsory for employers to notify all vacancies to an employment exchange; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. James Johnson

On a point of order. May I point out a slight error in the printing of my constituency in the Question as it appears on the Order Paper? The City of Kingston upon Hull, unlike Kingston-upon-Thames, has no hyphens.

Mr. Speaker

That point should be made at half-past Three.

Mr. Gunter

I have nothing to add to the statement on this subject which I made in the House on 30th November.—[Vol. 737, c. 466–71.]

Mr. James Johnson

Will my right hon. Friend accept that if we had more and better statistics it would make for better national planning? Is it not also a fact that if more vacancies were known, there would be more chance for workers who are out of jobs knowing what jobs were to be had?

Mr. Gunter

I agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. We certainly need a lot more statistics—but if we had more statistics we would have to take on a lot more staff, and then there would be the general cry about increasing the Civil Service. The advantages are not as clear as all that in this matter. I am still considering it. The Notification of Vacancies Order, 1952 lasted for four or five years only, because it was felt that it was not achieving the purpose for which it was introduced. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that the book is not closed.

Mr. Watkins

Will my right hon. Friend kindly consider the suggestion that Government Departments, at least, should notify any vacancies—especially the Ministry of Public Building and Works and the Ministry of Defence—in respect of the Army?

Mr. Gunter

Yes, Sir.

Mr. R. Carr

Does not the Minister agree, in the light of experience, that the compulsory notification of vacancies is of use only when one is following some form of control of engagements?

Mr. Gunter

That is one of the great dangers—that such notification would be considered a precursor to that control.