§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Manpower Services Commission has to extend its office accommodation.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that its head office will take over one floor of Selkirk House, 166 High Holborn, from the Employment Service Agency early in 1978 when the present occupants move to existing vacant accommodation at 3 St. Andrews Place. The Commission is currently seeking accommodation for offices in 26 areas throughout England, Scotland and Wales to implement the proposals contained in the report of the Holland Working Party. These 26 offices will take over all the work at present performed at the 10 job creation programme and eight work experience programme existing area offices. The head offices of the Commission and the Agencies are being relocated in Sheffield during the period 1979–83 as part of the Government's dispersal programme.
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the staff of the Manpower Services Comission in each year since its inception.
§ Mr. John GrantThe numbers of staff employed in the office of the Manpower Services Commission, the Employment Service Agency and the Training Services Agency for each year since inception are given in the table below:
§ Mr. GoldingNo. Despite the welcome decrease in unemployment which occurred between September and October there is no doubt that, with a total of 5,853 persons unemployed, Kirkby has a level of unemployment which is far from satisfactory. Kirkby will, however, continue to benefit from the special employment measures which we have introduced and which have already been of considerable assistance. Over 32,000 persons on Merseyside have so far been assisted, including over 2,600 in Kirkby. Further 357W benefits, particularly for young people, should result from the schemes which my right hon. Friend announced on 29th June, including the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme.
In the longer term, Kirkby, as part of the Merseyside special development area (SDA), should benefit from the high level of regional incentives which are available to firms expanding or moving there. The incentives for SDAs have recently been strengthened by the provision of more favourable terms for selective financial assistance and for new tenants of advance factories.