§ Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has for reimbursing claimants for unemployment benefit who will have to incur other transport costs because of the acceptance of the Rayner proposals to close part-time benefit offices.
§ Mr. MayhewI have no proposals for reimbursing transport costs. The offices concerned are all within a few miles of another office and attendance is required only once per fortnight.
§ Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many part-time offices dealing with unemployment benefits are to be closed in the county of Durham; how many civil servant posts will be discontinued; and what is the annual saving in money terms.
§ Mr. MayhewIt is proposed to close four part-time offices in County Durham. The staff saving is 25 man weeks per annum and the saving in money terms, including premises costs, is about £3,500 per annum.