§ Mr. Bryan Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements he has made, following the establishment of the Training Services Agency and the Employment Service Agency as statutory bodies separate from the Department of Employment, to ensure that hon. Members are able to obtain information about employment and training matters.
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§ Mr. FootUnder the Employment and Training Act 1973 the Manpower Services Commission has been set up to run the public employment and training services previously provided by my Department—other than the careers services for which local authorities are now responsible. The executive work for these services is carried out by the commission's two agencies: the Employment Service Agency and the Training Services Agency.
Hon. Members can write to the chairman of the commission on any matters relating to these services. But I am sure that they will also find it helpful to establish or maintain contacts with senior officers of the agencies in their constituencies with whom questions relating to the local day-to-day operation of the services and the handling of particlar cases will often be able to be speedily resolved.
I shall continue to answer Questions and inquiries about my continuing manpower responsibilities, including my responsibilities in relation to the commission; and the unemployment benefit service will continue to be provided by my Department on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security.