§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on advertising jobs in job centres for posts in licensed sex shops. [116465]
§ Mr. BrowneThe administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson he will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from David Anderson to Tim Loughton, dated 28 July 2003:
As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning Jobcentre Plus policy on advertising jobs in Jobcentres for posts in licensed sex shops. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency.
The Ann Summers organisation recently challenged Jobcentre Plus' policy in refusing vacancies that are connected to the sale of sex related products. The outcome of the resulting Judicial Review was announced on Wednesday 18 June
The outcome of the Ann Summers Judicial Review was to quash Jobcentre Plus' decision to refuse Ann Summers' vacancies and the policy that underpinned that decision. In response Jobcentre Plus have considered a range of options, taking into account the judge's observations in the case, the operational implications and the interests of all concerned.
Jobcentre Plus' decision is to accept all vacancies from the sex and related industries from 21 July 2003, provided that they are legal and fulfil our other criteria for accepting and displaying vacancies.
I hope this is helpful.