HC Deb 04 November 1980 vol 991 cc1095-6
16. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to take any further steps to ensure that job vacancies are more widely known; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prior

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the public employment service already has mechanisms for circulating job vacancy information nation-wide. To improve the speed and quality of job vacancy circulation, however, the Manpower Services Commission plans to continue at the fastest practicable pace its current programme to computerise this function in all the more populous areas of Great Britain.

Mr. Adley

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the excellent work carried out by his Department's Christchurch office in finding work for more than half of those who recently lost their jobs at Shand Kydd? In the light of the tragically high unemployment figures will my right hon. Friend confirm that a large number of those on the unemployment register are on it for a short space of time only?

Mr. Prior

On my hon. Friend's latter point, the vast majority of people are on and off the register within a month. On his first point, I am grateful to all those who work in the Department of Employment for the help and support that they have given to the Department in what has been a difficult few months for them.