§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is his estimate of the cost of refurbishing and repainting Employment Service offices in connection with the introduction of the New Deal; [38317]
590Wthe Environment Task Force Option. A table showing the breakdown of Pathfinder areas follows. It is too early to give the average duration of the Gateway period as the pathfinders only started on 5 January and there are insufficient numbers completing the Gateway to give a valid sample.
(2) how much orange paint has been used in the redecoration of Employment Service offices in connection with the New Deal; and at what cost. [38318]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 7 April 1998]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Willetts, dated 21 April 1998:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the estimated cost of refurbishing and repainting Jobcentres in connection with the introduction of the New Deal, and how much orange paint has been used, and its cost. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.As part of the overall programme of preparation for the introduction of New Deal, Ministers have authorised improvements to the environment of our Jobcentres including the provision of New Deal furniture and fittings.You will see from the following table that overall capital expenditure in Jobcentres, including the improvements for New Deal, will be less in 1998–1999 than in previous years.
£ million Year Total 1993–94 57 1994–95 45 1995–96 38 1996–97 60 1997–98 (estimated) 40 1998–99 (estimated) 32
Much of this expenditure will substitute and accelerate other work which was already in planned expenditure. The expenditure, which is being monitored closely, has been authorised under strict guidelines that match the work to be done with the existing condition 591W of the Jobcentre, its size, and the level of New Deal business expected. In connection with the introduction of New Deal, some £6.8M has so far been committed to this work.It is not possible to identify precisely the cost of the orange paint used as part of the redecoration. However, in a typical Jobcentre the cost is likely to be around £20.I hope this is helpful.