§ 14. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the future of the professional and executive register.
§ Mr. Jim LesterFollowing a full review of professional and executive recruitment by the Manpower Services Commission my right hon. Friend has agreed to the MSC's proposal that a specialist public employment service should continue to be provided at the professional and executive levels. PER will therefore remain as a fee-charging service, but changes in operating methods are to be made which will enable significant financial and staff savings to be achieved. The MSC will monitor the restyled service closely and will make a further full review by September 1981.
§ Mr. BennettI am sure that the Minister will agree that most of the people who work on the professional and executive register will be pleased to know that a decision has been made but that they also will be worried about the continuing indications that their service will be further reviewed. Will the Minister confirm that their jobs are secure?
§ Mr. LesterI can confirm that a review has taken place and that we are trying new and more effective methods of operating PER. If the staff of PER operate those methods effectively their jobs will remain secure.