HC Deb 26 February 1981 vol 999 c410W
Mr. Wolfson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy of the closure of unemployment benefit offices.

Mr. Prior

As a result of an efficiency review under the guidance of Sir Derek Rayner a number of small offices were identified where savings would result from closure and transfer of signing arrangements to nearby offices. In view of the increase in unemployment since the review was carried out I have now decided to defer closure until unemployment falls except in those cases where there are strong operational grounds for closure.