§ Dame Irene Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of cleaners to be displaced through letting the cleaning of Government premises out to contract; the length of service of each cleaner; and what attempt has been made to offer alternative employment by engagement by the new contractors on the basis of the usual practice of dealing with redundancy.
§ Sir E. BoyleI assume that the Question relates to the new arrangements at Minford House, Shepherd's Bush, London. The total staff of cleaners there numbered 42 of whom 17 are being retained temporarily. The length of service of the remaining 25 is shown in the table below. All of these ladies were invited to apply for posts in neighbouring Government offices. Sixteen did so and thirteen were offered appointments. Two of the three not offered jobs were reabsorbed to fill vacancies in the staff retained at Minford House. The contractor was invited to approach the redundant cleaners after they had been interviewed for alternative Government employment and it is understood that eight took jobs with him.
Length of service of redundant Cleaners:
Minford House, Shepherd's Bush 11 years … … … 4 10 years … … … 2 9 years … … … 1 5 years … … … 1 4 years … … … 1 2 years … … … 3 1 years … … … 7 Under 1 years … … … 6 25