HC Deb 25 February 1988 vol 128 cc285-6W
Mr. Tom Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the responsibilities of each of the deputy secretaries in his Department and the number and ranks of staff reporting to each.

Mr. Cope

There are two deputy secretaries in the Department of Employment. One has four secretaries (grade 3) and one assistant secretary (grade 5) reporting to him with responsibilities forEmployment policy including employment and training legislation, new initiatives and measures to assist the long-term unemployed—51 staff. Oversight of the employment service and its regional and local office organisation with some 41,000 staff. Training policy, including adult training and education, youth training, careers service inspectorate and youth employment policy—(and liaison with the Manpower Services Commission)—83 staff. European Community business relating to employment—32 staff. Press and information matters—53 staff.

The other has five under secretaries (grade 3) and one grade 4 reporting to him with responsibilities for: Overseas affairs, covering international employment matters, the labour attache service and the work permit scheme—137 staff. Health and safety policy, including legislation (and liaison with the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive)—nine staff. Economic and social advice and research on employment matters, including employment market research—54 staff. Industrial relations policy and legislation, including disputes, pay issues, wages councils, Wages Inspectorate, employment protection, redundancy and equal opportunities—(429 staff); and oversight of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (26 staff); the Central Office of Industrial Tribunals (362 staff); and liaison with the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The Department's interest in small firms and tourism, including the loan guarantee and enterprise allowance schemes and oversight of regional small firms advisory centres—238 staff. Employment statistics, including unemployment and vacancy series, index of retail prices, family expenditure and labour force surveys and the census of employment—263 staff.

Two directors at under secretary (grade 3) level also report direct to the permanent secretary covering: Finance and resource management, including all financial services and audit—676 staff. Personnel and management services, including computer services, procurement and office support services such as typing, messengerial and library services — 1,131 staff.