§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the proportion of unemployed claimants who find work through private employment agencies.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThere is only limited information, from survey evidence, on this matter. A cohort study of people who became unemployed in May 1980, carried out by the Manpower Services Commission and the policy Studies Institute, suggested that about 3 per cent. of those returning to employment found their job through a private agency. An earlier cohort study of unemployed male claimants in 1978–79, carried out by the Department of Health and Social Security, suggested that between 1 and 2 per cent. of those who found work did so through a private employment agency.