Manpower Services Commission and Jobcentres

HC Deb 02 December 1980 vol 995 cc57-8W

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give details of the total costs involved in the establishment and running of (a) the Manpower Services Commission and (b) jobcentres, since the introduction of these bodies.

Mr. Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that between 1 April 1975 and 30 September 1980, 672 jobcentres were opened and the capital cost involved in their establishment was £28 million.

Information about running costs of jobcentres in the earlier years is not available. Information for later years could only be made available by using a considerable amount of expensive computer and staff time. Total expenditure by the MSC from its establishment to 30.9.80 was £2,533 million.