HC Deb 21 November 1977 vol 939 cc1079-80
10. Mr. Roderick

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether any decision has been made on the allocation of additional careers service officers' posts to assist in the implementation of new Manpower Services Commission measures for dealing with young unemployed people.

Mr. Barry Jones

Not yet, but I expect allocations to be made very soon.

Mr. Roderick

Does my hon. Friend recall that on a previous allocation of this kind no one was appointed within the county of Powys to undertake this work? Will he ensure that on this occasion special attention is paid to Powys with its special problems? Scarcity of population is a factor, as well as overall numbers of population.

Mr. Barry Jones

I recollect the fight that my hon. Friend put up last time, and I assure him that very sympathetic consideration will be given to the needs of Powys. I should be disappointed if Powys did not get one additional post.

Mr. Wigley

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the new arrangement that is about to start, with an office in Wrexham and an office in Cardiff, will not fall between two stools? It does not give overall strategic control of the existing centre, but it is not sufficiently local to know the details of local schemes put forward. Will the hon. Gentleman look again at the proposed structure?

Mr. Barry Jones

I do not think that there is likely to be a change in the structure. Extensive consultation took place. The areas must be large enough to sustain a full range of facilities. On the basis of the information that we have been given, there is every prospect of success.