§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contingency planning is undertaken by the Employment Service concerning large-scale redundancies.
§ Mr. McLoughlinResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Mr. M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Nicholas Brown, dated 4 February 1993:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your Parliamentary Question to her about what contingency planning is undertaken by the Employment Service concerning large-scale redundancies. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.My Jobcentre managers get advance warnings of major redundancies and will contact the employer and offer appropriate support.We try to get involved as soon as possible in major redundancies and will normally approach the employer as soon as there is reason to believe our help is needed. We can offer a wide range of help and facilities to redundant workers, including a job placing service, special jobshops and benefit advice, depending on the actual requirements of the people and companies concerned.I hope this is helpful.As decided by the Administrative Committee of the House of Commons, Chief Executive replies to written Parliamentary Questions will now be published in the Official Report. I will also place a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.