§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the basis for the statement in the application and associated papers that the Employment Service supports the amended planning application made by Havering Borough Council for development on a site of special scientific interest at Rainham Marsh in Havering. [65906]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithResponsibility 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 Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 14 January 1999:
As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question in which you asked for information on what is the basis for the statement in the application and associated papers that the Employment Service supports the amended planning application made by Havering Borough Council for development on a site of special scientific interest at Rainham Marsh in Havering. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.The Employment Service has made no formal response to the planning application. However, I understand that Havering Borough Council asked the manager of our Dagenham Jobcentre in November for information on numbers of Jobseekers and skill levels/shortages within the Rainham area and for an assurance that, in the event of a Business Park being built on Rainham Marsh, the Employment Service would support the Council in recruiting construction and other workers for this project. Such an assurance of help was given on the understanding that it would apply only if the planning application was approved.I hope this is helpful.