§ Mr. Torneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many re-establishment centres exist; and where are they situated.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe 18 re-establishment centres operated by the Department are situated as follows:
- Alvaston, Derby
- Fazakerley, Liverpool
- Bishopbriggs, Glasgow
- Leeds
- Glen Parva, Leicester
- Newbury, Berkshire
- Plawsworth, Co. Durham
- Sittingbourne, Kent
- Southampton
- Stormy Down, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan
- Walkden, Near Manchester
- Lye, Stourbridge, Worcestershire
- Winterbourne, Bristol
- Woodhouse, Sheffield
- Bridge House, London W10
- Brady House, London E1
- Mill Street, Manchester
- Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
§ Mr. Torneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many staff are employed in re-establishment centres;
(2) if he will give details of the cost involved in the running of re-establishment centres.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFifteen of the 18 re-establishment centres are managed jointly with resettlement units, and it is difficult precisely to apportion costs and manpower between the re-establishment and resettlement functions. It is estimated, however, that the whole-time equivalent of 82 staff are engaged in re-establishment work and that the total running costs of re-establishment in 1980 amounted to about £800,000.
§ Mr. Torneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have passed through the re-establishment centres in the past 12 months.
§ Mrs. ChalkerDuring the 12 months to 17 March 1981, 2,942 men attended courses at re-establishment centres.
§ Mr. Torneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what are the reasons for sending people to re-establishment centres; and whether attendance is compulsory or made upon threat of loss of benefit;
(2) what is the purpose of re-establishment centres; and how they function.
§ Mrs. ChalkerUnder schedule 5 to the Supplementary Benefits Act 1976—as amended—my right hon. Friend is empowered to provide courses, to be known as re-establishment courses, at which persons who are in need of re-establishment through lack of regular occupation or lack of instruction or training may be afforded the occupation, instruction or training required to fit them for entry into, or return to, regular employment.
Courses are provided for men on supplementary benefit at re-establishment centres operated by the Department. These courses are for periods up to 13 weeks, in nearly all circumstances. The aim is to give fresh motivation and help to men demoralised by long-term unemployment, or irregular employment. The courses do not comprise 244W specific skill or trade training, but provide a number of tasks which enable men to re-accustom themselves to the routine and environment of work. Those who demonstrate the ability to undertake a full training course are given the opportunity and encouragement to progress to further training run by MSC or other agencies.
Men are invited to attend re-establishment centres by unemployment review officers, if it is considered that they could benefit. Although attendance is usually voluntary, benefit officers do have the power—under section 10 of the Act—to make benefit conditional upon attendance at centres where a man appears to be refusing or neglecting to maintain himself or his dependants. This power is, however, sparingly used. Out of 2,942 men who attended courses in the 12 months to 17 March 1981 only 101 men, or 3.4 per cent. were under direction.