§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to close any jobcentres.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make a decision about the future role of employment services, including jobcentres; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he is giving to the number and location of jobcentres; whether private employment agencies have made representations about the competition provided by the jobcentres; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 14 June 1982, c. 194]: The number and location of jobcentres was considered by the team which has recently reviewed the operation of the public employment service. They have recommended urgent review of a number of offices, and other ways of making savings in the resources now spent on jobcentres. Private employment agencies have indeed expressed concern about competition from jobcentres. The 225W review team's terms of reference, given in the Official Report, on 8 December 1981—[Vol. 14, c. 344–5]—made clear that they were to consider the relationship between the public employment service and private agencies. This they have done and have recommended changes particularly in the way in which the service deals with short-term vacancies. The report has only just been submitted to the chairman of the Manpower Services Commission and we shall await the commission's views on it with great interest.