§ Mr. Wainwrightasked the Paymaster General whether he will make it his policy to recruit more restart counsellors to cope with the numbers of the long-term unemployed being interviewed.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. The Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the restart programme, has not asked for any increase in the recruitment of restart counsellors and I see no need for such an increase.
§ Mr. Wainwrightasked the Paymaster General in what areas the long-term unemployed are being given counselling interviews lasting one hour or more.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere is no policy of giving longer interviews in some areas than in others. The length of interview depends on people's needs. Some people need and get interviews lasting over an hour. Others are shorter, the average being around 30 minutes.