§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Manpower Services Commission is still discussing the possibility of flexible hours for jobcentre opening with the staff unions concerned; how long the discussions lasted or have been lasting; and with what result.
§ Mr. GoldingI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that discussions on late evening and Saturday opening of jobcentres have been concluded, and that an agreement was reached on 9th June 1977 with the staff associations concerned. This provides for individual jobcentres to open outside the normal hours on an ad hoc basis to meet special purposes; on operational grounds—for example, to enable a particular firm to interview applicants at the job-centre; or for promotional purposes such as a presentation of a newly opened jobcentre to give the local community an opportunity to learn about the new facility available to them.