§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions have been issued to managers of job clubs in connection with visits by hon. Members and parliamentary spokesmen.
§ Mr. HowardAs an executive agency, the employment service is being encouraged to promote contact between hon. Members and their local ES offices.
In the case of proposed visits by parliamentary spokesmen to local offices or to ES programmes such as job clubs, officials are required to notify such requests to my office. I am keen that parliamentary spokesmen should have an opportunity to see ES operations at first hand and I have written to the hon. Member to explain the position.