§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the net cost to the Exchequer of (a) capital, and (b) running costs of the jobcentres for the last two full years.
§ Mr. Golding,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 5th July 1978; Vol. 953, c. 159], gave the following further information:
I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the amount involved in jobcentre running costs for 1977–78 was approximately £29 million. This figure comprises "on the ground" expenditure on jobcentres in 1977–78 and includes salaries and wages, staff expenses, running expenses—for example, postage, telecommunications, stationery—advertising and publicity and premises excluding depreciation.
At the beginning of 1977–78 there were 297 jobcentres in operation and a further 137 opened in the course of the financial year.