§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have registered as willing to work, giving details of their skills and experience, at jobcentres covering south west Surrey at the most recent convenient date; how many people were registered as unemployed for the purpose of benefit in the equivalent area at the same date; and what were the equivalent figures for the same day in 1984 and 1983.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn the parliamentary constituency of South West Surrey 287 people were registered for employment at jobcentres on 7 June 1985, 380 at 8 June 1984, and 1,468 at 3 June 1983. These figures include some employed people seeking a change of employment and some unemployed people not claiming benefit. Since October 1982 there has been no requirement for jobseekers to register at the jobcentres either to use the facilities or as a condition of claiming unemployment benefit. The higher figure for 1983 reflects the protracted run-down of the stock of registrations following the introduction of voluntary registrations in October 1982.
The number of unemployed persons claiming unemployment benefit, supplementary allowances or national insurance credits in the South West Surrey parliamentary constituency on 13 June 1985 was 1,537, 1,542 at 14 June 1984 and 1,595 at 9 June 1983. It is a condition of receipt of these benefits or credits that a person be unemployed and capable and available for work.