HC Deb 24 February 1977 vol 926 cc677-8W
Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the Official Report details of assistance offered under the auspices of his Department to firms considering moving to areas designated as special development areas, or setting up new industrial units in such areas.

Mr. Golding

My Department and the Manpower Services Commission are always ready to offer assistance and advice to firms considering moves to special development areas through the regional offices of my Department, the district offices of the Training Services Agency and the local offices of the Employment Service Agency. My Department and the Manpower Services Commission offer the following helpThe Employment Service Agency administers two schemes to assist employers:

  1. (a) Key Workers Scheme. Assistance is available to employed people who are transferred, either permanently or temporarily, beyond daily travelling distance of their homes to key posts in establishments being set up or expanded by their employers in special, development, or intermediate areas.
  2. (b) Nucleus Labour Force Scheme. Firms who are setting up factories in areas of high unemployment—including special development areas—are helped to transfer unemployed workers recruited in the new area to the parent factory for training. On completion of training, workers will return to their home areas for employment in the new factories.

Financial assistance under these schemes includes, where appropriate, such things as travelling, lodgings, and moving house.

Other services offered by the Employment Service Agency are drawn to employers' attention. They include:

  1. (a) advice about the local employment conditions e.g. availability of skilled manpower, wage levels, travel-to-work facilities, housing conditions;
  2. (b) circulation of vacancies—either in the immediate travel to work area or to other areas;
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  3. (c) provision of special interviewing facilities in jobcentres or employment offices. Assistance can also be given with the short-listing of applicants.

The Training Services Agency provides, free, in assisted areas, four direct training services to employers for their employees. They are:

  1. (A) Employer-Sponsored training at skill-centres for people in employment;
  2. (B) Visiting instructors at employers' premises;
  3. (C) Instructor training;
  4. (D) Training within industry for supervisors.

The bulk of financial incentives to firms willing to invest in the assisted areas is administered by the Department of Industry.