HC Deb 03 December 1981 vol 14 cc182-3W
Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the current procedures which exist at jobcentres for publicising vacancies in other member States of the European Community; what procedures are normally followed for the notification of such vacancies; and whether he intends to propose improvements to the SEDOC system during the British presidency.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The head office of the Manpower Services Commission's employment service division regularly receives details of vacancies in other member States of the Community from the States' public employment services. These are made available to jobcentres through the division's network of area offices, the precise arrangements for circulation and display being the responsibility of area and local managers who are encouraged to use the information to the best advantages local job seekers.

I understand that the commission has already recognised the need to improve these arrangements and therefore plans to give more explicit guidance to staff. The office of the European Commission, in response to suggestions from the United Kingdom Government and the Governments of other member States, has in the meantime commissioned an independent evaluation of the entire system for the circulation of vacancy and job seeker information within the Community—SEDOC. I shall be considering whether further changes are needed once the evaluation report becomes available in autumn 1982.