§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the terms of reference and other details of the surveys being carried out or commissioned by his Department amongst claimants at either unemployment benefit offices or jobcentres in the west midlands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeMy Department commissioned the Harris Research Centre Ltd. to undertake a survey of claimants at unemployment benefit offices in the west midlands conurbation. Interviewing took place during March and April. All those interviewed were selected at random by interviewers. All interviews were anonymous and voluntary. The aim was to collect information about a representative sample of claimants, not about individuals.
181WThis survey is part of a wider study of the labour market in the west midlands conurbation, which also includes a survey of employers' vacancies and recruitment practices. The aim of the study is to establish what the barriers are to the efficient operation of the labour market and, in particular to see what are the factors which prevent longer-term unemployed people from being able to take advantage of the available jobs and to help determine how best my Department's programmes can meet their needs.