§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will give full consideration to the social value of a local part-time employment exchange before considering any proposal for its closure;
(2) if he will ensure that the local authorities covering any part of the area served by a part-time local employment exchange are fully consulted and that full weight is given to their response before considering any proposal to close any such office; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will list any part-time local employment exchanges in Wales which his Department is currently considering closing;
(4) if he will undertake a full process of public consultation with any community served by a local part-time employment exchange before considering any proposal for its closure.
§ Mr. EggarI refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 13 June.
In considering the closure of a part-time local office, full consideration is given as to how best to provide the most effective service to ES clients. Larger full-time offices offer a comprehensive range of services and are better able to help unemployed people back to work.
The following part-time local offices in Wales are scheduled for closure by the end of July:
- Bethesda
- Brynamman
- Clydach
- Cwm
- Hirwaun
- Merthyr Vale (Aberfan)
- New Tredegar
- Pembroke
- Senghenydd.