§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what classes of profession, skill or trade are required to register on the Professional and Executive Register.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonOne of the conditions for receiving unemployment benefit and supplementary allowance is that unemployed people register for employment. Those to whom this requirement applies who are looking for employment in professional, managerial, technical, scientific and executive-type occupations, and are qualified for them academically, by training or by experience, register with the Professional and Executive Recruitment, which is part of the public employment service.
§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the criteria on which the Professional and Executive Register is required to levy fees for the supply of appropriate names to potential employers.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonPER, whose aim is to recover the costs of its recruitment services from fees charged to employers who make use of them, varies its charges according to the type and level of service provided. These range from a basic charge for bringing to the notice of jobseekers details of notified vacancies, to a consultancy fee where employers require in-depth interviewing of suitable candidates and the presentation of a short list.
§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute a review of the operation of the charges levied by the Professional and Executive Register, particularly with reference to (a) the use by potential employers of cheaper alternative sources for job seekers, (b) the inability of unemployed persons on the register to have their names submitted to potential employers where those potential employers refuse such charges, and (c) the effect on job opportunities that results from the foregoing.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe operation of the present Professional and Executive Recruitment Service is due for review by the Manpower Services Commission by September next. I have no doubt that the present arrangement for fee-charging will be among the issues considered.