§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff are employed in the employment offices in Andesford, Lydney and Coleford.
§ Mr. GoldingI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that the number of staff employed in the employment offices at Cinderford, Lydney and Coleford is 6*, 4* and I respectively.
* Includes one part-time.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what tasks are carried out by those who man the employment offices in the Forest of Dean.
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§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the main tasks carried out are helping individuals find work: assisting employers to meet their manpower requirements; advising and guiding jobseekers about training opportunities; assisting workers with transfer to employment away from their homes: collecting manpower intelligence for Government Departments and others providing the public with initial information about employment legislation; providing information to Government Departments in connection with entitlement to social security benefits.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many visits were made on average per week to the employment offices in the Forest of Dean.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that records of the average or total number of visits to employment offices are not maintained. During April and May 1977 the average number of people who registered for employment at offices in the Forest of Dean was 71 per week.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the employment offices in the Forest of Dean.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that of the three offices in the Forest of Dean only one, at Lydney, has been converted to a jobcentre; it opened on 27th September 1976. Rehousing of the Cinder-ford and Coleford offices is planned, as neither is suitable for conversion to job-centre standard, and a search for suitable accommodation continues. Meanwhile, improvements have been carried out at the existing offices in order to provide a better service to the public.