§ Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what reviews have been undertaken by his Department on the separation of employment offices from benefit offices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThere has been no specific overall review of this arrangement since a decision to make the change in the early 1970s. However, my Department keeps under constant review the effective operation of unemployment benefit offices, as does the Manpower Services Commission in the case of jobcentres and employment offices. The two networks are now managed and organised separately, although some offices remain co-located and the advantages and disadvantages of location in the same building, or close by, are taken into account when any change of premises is considered.