§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether it is the policy of employment officials not to offer jobs to people who have been in receipt of supplementary benefit or unemployment benefit for more than 13 weeks.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the168W Employment Service Agency has no such policy.
The staff at the employment offices and job centres provide a service to all those people registered with them irrespective of the length of the period of unemployment. They also undertake periodic reviews so that, if necessary, alternative or additional job opportunities can be sought for those unable to find a job immediately.