§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those skillcentres it is proposed to close over the next three years; how many retraining places will be lost as a result; how many jobs will be lost; how much it is estimated these closures will save; and how this figure was arrived at.
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§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1980, c. 592]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that it has decided that the following skillcentres and skillcentre annexes will be closed over the next three years. Where indicated the decisions are subject to review or to confirmation in the light of further consultation.
Skillcentre Review/consultation Dumbarton * (R) Port Glasgow * (C) Hillington Annexe Darlington * (C) Leeds Annexe Sheffield Annexe Dudley Coventry Annexe Telford Annexe Llanelli * (R) Blaenau Gwent Annexe Tremorfa Annexe Treforest Annexe Poplar Enfield Annexe Kidbrooke Annexe Rationalisation is designed to achieve some shift of places from areas where either they are not fully utilised or there is overprovision to areas where they can be more effectively used, and as a result there will be a slight increase in training places overall. It is not possible to give an accurate net figure for the reduction in Civil Service jobs resulting from the rationalisation programme, but they will be part of the saving of 520 posts in skillcentres that the Manpower Services Commission decided to make as a contribution towards the manpower savings required of it over the next three years. The total estimated savings on annual operating expenditure will be approximately £5,000,000. This figure is based on rent and rates for each centre or annexe to be closed—at 1979–80 prices; savings in staff costs—at 1979–80 prices—assuming that half the staff concerned will move elsewhere into the skillcentre network; and half the cost of materials, non-capital and operating costs, the financial charges and administration costs, less receipts, the other half being presumed to be taken up elsewhere in the skillcentre network.
There will also be receipts from sale of premises, which cannot yet be calculated accurately.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what alternative training places will be provided in those 115W places where skillcentres are to close; if he is satisfied that there are sufficient places available to meet demand and needs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1980, c. 592]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the programme of skillcentre rationalisation upon which it has now decided will, overall, result in slightly more skillcentre places being available. Some skillcentres and annexes are to be closed because their viable classes are being transferred to main skillcentres close by. Others are for closure because there is clearly more provision in the area than demand from trainees and employers warrants; in these cases access to alternative facilities in the area will be helped by transport arrangements, as necessary. I am satisfied that there will remain within the skillcentre network sufficient places to meet trainee demand and employer needs, and moreover that these places will as a result of the rationalisation exercise be better situated to meet those needs.