HL Deb 19 March 1980 vol 407 cc207-9
Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many vacancies at present exist for men and women respectively in each of the armed forces, the police, public transport and nursing.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EMPLOYMENT (The Earl of Gowrie)

My Lords, it is not the practice to give detailed information on manpower targets for the armed forces. The armed forces are, however, presently well below their planned strength. The police service had just under 7,000 vacancies on 31st January, 1980. While it is not possible to give a figure for total vacancies in public transport, 4,931 vacancies were notified to the Employment Service Division of the Manpower Services Commission and 371 to the Careers Service in February 1980. It is estimated that there are about 19,000 vacancies for qualified nursing staff. The armed forces are exempt from the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act. In the other services mentioned, vacancies are generally open to suitably-qualified men and women.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he does not feel that it is tragic that there should be this substantial number of vacancies in these important services at the same time as there is a substantial number unemployed, particularly young people? Will he ask the Department of Employment and, in particular, their local offices, who seem to be somewhat tepid in the matter, to show more energy in inviting the attention, particularly of the younger unemployed, to the existence of these vacancies?

The Earl of GOWRIE

My Lords, I am altogether in agreement with my noble friend. The paradox of large numbers of unfilled vacancies at a time of high unemployment is partly due to people changing jobs and also to the mismatch of employment opportunities regionally—and many of our worst unemployment statistics are very much regionally located. But we are working with the Manpower Services Commission to try to increase job mobility and opportunities for job mobility to improve the future situation.

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House whether the increase in pay for the average constable has resulted in a good increase in numbers; and what percentage that increase may be? Is he aware that many of us welcome the move of some chief constables to place on the streets the old-fashioned"bobby" on the beat? While admitting that there is a need for cars in rural areas, in towns the "bobby" on the beat is welcome.

The Earl of GOWRIE

My Lords, on the second part of the noble Lord's supplementary question, again I am in agreement. I think that law and order are best served by the police becoming familiar, as individuals, in their districts. There are problems connected with that and most of the police forces are now motorised in urban areas. I am glad to be able to tell the noble Lord that since the pay increase some of the recruitment difficulties of the police have eased, but we have still a way to go.

Lord INGLEWOOD

My Lords, following the last supplementary question, may I ask my noble friend whether the shortfall of 7,000 in the police includes the Special Constabulary? I think not; but, if not. why did he not tell the House what was that shortfall?

The Earl of GOWRIE

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not have that information off-the-cuff; but I will look into it and let my noble friend know the answer.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, can the noble Earl tell us what proportion of men complete their original terms of engagement in the Army and then reengage for a further term?

The Earl of GOWRIE

Not without notice, my Lords. I think the question probably should be directed towards a Defence Minister, but I will look into the matter.

Lord CAMPBELL of CROY

My Lords, can my noble friend tell the House whether the shortfall in the police is regionally variable and whether I am right in thinking that in Scotland there arc almost no vacancies?

The Earl of GOWRIE

My Lords, it is my understanding that the situation in Scotland is better than in England and Wales generally.

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