§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the reasons for the closure of jobclubs in Bestwood park, Nottingham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) on 27 January 1989,Official Report, column 810, in which he announced that we would be able to increase numbers helped by jobclubs while streamlining the network.
There was substantial underused capacity in the Bestwood park jobclub and the closure decision was taken to make better use of resources. Long-term unemployed people in the Bestwood park area will continue to have full access to the jobclub programme. There are a number of jobclubs within easy travelling distance and travelling expenses to and from jobclubs are paid in full.