§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Grantown-on-Spey sub-office from 4th July 1975, the effects this will have on local employment, the reasons therefor 57W and the proposals he has to give the people of Grantown a service in the future.
§ Mr. John FraserI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Employment Service Agency in Scotland has decided, after very careful consideration, that the sub-office in Grantown-on-Spey should be closed because of the low level of business. An employment service will be provided from the Inverness employment office, where the services and staffing are being brought up to the standard of a Jobcentre. Staff from Inverness will visit Grantown-on-Spey regularly. In addition, there will be a trial arrangement of advertising vacancies in the local newspaper, and people wishing to inquire about them will be able to telephone Inverness employment office free of charge. People travelling from Grantown-on-Spey for an interview at Inverness employment office by prior arrangement may have their fares reimbursed. It is not anticipated that placing work will be reduced substantially on the transfer of employment work to Inverness and there is, therefore, no reason to expect the closure to affect local employment in Grantown-on-Spey.