§ Mr. Soleyasked the Paymaster General (1) if he will list the courses and number of places available on Manpower Services Commission courses considered appropriate for the needs of those people currently attending re-establishment centres;
(2) whether the Manpower Services Commission has agreed to take responsibility for the people currently attending the re-establishment centres due to be closed; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether the Manpower Services Commission will seek to ensure that employers on Manpower Services Commission schemes accept people currently attending reestablishment centres.
§ Mr. LangThe full range of assistance currently provided by the Manpower Services Commission is available to all those attending re-establishment centres; this includes all courses, schemes and services, subject to the normal individual eligibility and suitability criteria. I would strongly encourage each person now attending a reestablishment centre to make contact with his or her local jobcentre as early as possible to discuss their employment needs and the range of services and individual help the Manpower Services Commission has to offer.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Paymaster General whether his Department intends to accept the transfer of staff currently working in re-establishment centres to the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. LangI refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope) on 22 May at columns 317 and 318.