HC Deb 05 December 1983 vol 50 cc29-30W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report, on a county basis, the number of persons currently employed

Pontefract Castleford Knottingley
1 April 1979 10 9 4
1 April 1980 9 9 4
1 April 1981 10 7½ 4
1 April 1982 10 10½ 4
1 November 1983 9 9½ 3

Mr. Park

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what procedures are to be followed by staff at jobcentres when they are in doubt whether a vacancy offers at least the legal minimum rate of pay.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Instructions to jobcentres staff state that if they are in doubt they should seek advice from the wages inspectorate. If the inspectorate advises that the rate offered is below the legal minimum jobcentres staff should inform the employer and take no action to fill the vacancy unless the employer agrees to offer not less than the legal minimum.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the high cost of travel to alternative jobcentres in Brixham and Kingsbridge, he will keep open the Dartmouth centre as on the present arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There are at present no plans for further changes in the opening hours of Dartmouth jobcentre. However there is to be a review of the national jobcentre network during 1984. I cannot, of course, anticipate the outcome of that review.