§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will discuss with the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission the consequences of the proposal to withdraw the employment services in Audley, Staffordshire; whether he will discuss the suggestion that lists of suitable jobs displayed in job centres be circulated to those living over three miles from a jobcentre; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI have no plans to discuss the closure of the part-time employment office in Audley, Staffordshire, with the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission.
I am informed by the MSC that in the past year this office had an average of about 10 callers a week and found jobs for only five people. The MSC considers that an adequate service can be provided for Audley by the jobcentres at Newcastle under Lyme and Kidsgrove and that the majority of job seekers in Audley already use these offices.
Jobcentres and employment offices normally match incoming vacancies with the requirements of job seekers and those who are most suitable are told about 382W them. The MSC considers that to supplement this by circulating lists of vacancies on a regular basis would add significantly to employment service costs without providing corresponding benefits.