HC Deb 01 May 1973 vol 855 c979
14. Miss Joan Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment which organisations are eligible to use his Department's local offices for meetings out of normal working hours.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

My Department has discretion to extend the use of its premises for occasional meetings of non-official organisations which have a strong affinity with the work of the Department. There is no list of such organisations.

Miss Hall

As this facility came to my knowledge only by chance, I feel that it is not known widely enough by bodies which can use the Department's local offices. I suggest that, with the increasing difficulty of finding such accommodation and with increasing charges, it would be a good idea if more publicity were given to this facility. I suggest as a start that notices should be put up in the Department's offices advertising this facility. At the same time, may I ask my hon. Friend to let us know the charges?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

My hon. Friend is clearly the best advertisement for this facility. I notice that the Keighley employment exchange is used by the Keighley Trades Council and the Keighley branch of the Law Society, so it is not unknown in that area. I understand that charges are made for the attendants who may be necessary, and so on. I should like to look at my hon. Friend's proposition about further publicity. She may have a point there.