§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures of the staffing levels in jobcentres yearly since 1979 (a) nationally and (b) in Portsmouth.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe figures requested are given in the table:
Nationally In Portsmouth 1979 11,396.5 Not available 1980 11,248 39 1981 10,392 36 1982 10,100 33 1983 9,779 29 1984 9,398 27.5 1985 9,126 27.5 Notes
1. Figures refer to permanent staff in post on 1 April each year.
2. The national figures include an element for area office staff supervising local office services. Separate national figures for jobcentres only are not immediately available before 1 April 1984 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.