§ 25. Sir Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employent if he is satisfied with the present jobcentre system.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission last week approved in principle a new strategy designed to improve the service's accessibility to job-seekers at a reduced cost to the taxpayer. We expect to receive its proposals shortly.
§ 28. Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received concerning future plans for jobcentres.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThis Department has received a number of letters from Members of Parliament and others about the Manpower Services Commission strategy for the future development of the employment service.
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§ 43. Mr. Nealeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he intends to take to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the jobcentre network.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe Manpower Services Commission has recently approved in principle a strategy for the future development of the employment service which takes advantage of recent advances in technology to improve the accessibility of the service and at the same time reduces the cost to the taxpayer. It is planned that there will be more jobcentre outlets but more variations between offices in the type of service provided.
§ 44. Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of people placed in jobs by jobcentres in 1981, 1982 and 1983.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe information requested is listed below:
Year ending Number of Placings 4 December 1981 1,467,112 3 December 1982 1,541,221 2 December 1983 1,747,611 There is likely to have been a substantial number of people who found jobs other than through the jobcentres. Nationally it is estimated that about a quarter of all engagements are made through jobcentres.