HC Deb 03 May 1974 vol 872 cc565-6W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment why job shops have not been set up at the following shopping centres in Birmingham: King-standing, Perry Barr, and Birmingham, respectively.

STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES: UNITED KINGDOM
Stoppages classified as relating to pay disputes as a percentage of total stoppages beginning in year Working Days lost as a result of pay disputes as a percentage of days lost in all stoppages beginning in year
1964 47.9 51.9
1965 50.1 56.1
1966 45.6 68.6
1967 46.6 57.7
1968 51.7 75.6
1969 57.2 65.1
1970 63.1 84.7
1971 51.8 90.4
1972 59.2 90.5
1973 (provisional) 50.7 Not yet available

Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial disputes during 1971, 1972 and 1973

Mr. John Fraser

Shop premises are an essential part of the new-style service, but when they become available they frequently do not have the right amount of space, or are not associated with the right amount of office accommodation for Jobcentre purposes. Difficulty has also been experienced in obtaining sites in shopping centres because of the reluctance of developers to lease shops for non-retail purposes and the resistance of town planners to agree change from shop to office use within the terms of the Town and Country Planning Acts. Negotiations are proceding for a shop in Corporation Street, Birmingham, for a Jobcentre dealing with commercial employment. It is not proposed to provide a Jobcentre in Perry Barr but an active search is underway for suitable premises in nearby Kingstanding and Great Barr, and premises are under consideration at Newtown.