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Community Alarm Systems

Mr. Channon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has following his recent consultation exercise on local authorities' powers to provide community alarm systems; and if he will make a statement. [21127]

Mr. Curry: Having carefully considered the more than 100 responses received to our consultation, we have concluded that local authorities should be empowered to provide community alarms to anyone resident in their area, and to be able to charge for such services. Community alarms can help the elderly to continue to live in their own homes, disabled people to lead independent lives, and can also be useful in tackling crimes such as repeat burglary, domestic violence or racial harassment. We intend to bring forward legislation at the next convenient opportunity.

18 Mar 1997 : Column: 526

Central-local Government Information Flows

Mr. Channon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publish the Government's response to the recent efficiency scrutiny on information flows between central and local government; and if he will make a statement. [21128]

Mr. Curry: I have today published the Government's response to the report of the efficiency scrutiny on information flows between central and local government.

This scrutiny, which was published on 14 November 1996, forms part of the Government's war on waste campaign and was the first in a rolling programme of efficiency scrutinies on local government matters designed to cut the burden of paperwork and unnecessary bureaucracy between central and local government. The scrutiny focused in particular on certain key services--personal social services, education, housing and transport--and looked at the European regional development fund, the European social fund and monitoring of local government spending. The scrutiny report concluded that the paper flow could be cut by up to one third, and set out specific recommendations for streamlining information flows.

We have now consulted the local authority associations and other interested bodies, including the Audit Commission and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy--CIPFA--on the report and its recommendations. Responses we have received have been overwhelmingly supportive of the thrust of the report. In the light of this consultation, the Government have prepared their response to the scrutiny's recommendations, which takes the form of an action plan for implementation of the report's recommendations.

In recognition of the need for central and local government to work closely together, the implementation of the action plan will be overseen by the joint group of senior officials and representatives of the local authority associations, the Audit Commission and CIPFA which I established with local government when the report was published last November. The Government will also establish, with local government, a task force with a remit to make rapid progress in developing and facilitating electronic data transfer between local authorities and Government Departments. The task force has been asked to report by the summer.

The action plan sets out a substantial programme of work, involving a number of Government Departments, to rationalise the data that the Government require of local authorities and the arrangements for its collection. This work reflects the Government's on-going commitment to removing unnecessary burdens on local authorities in their dealings with central Government and should deliver considerable benefits for both central and local government in terms of efficiency gains and better quality information.

I am arranging for copies of the Government response to be placed in the Library of the House. Copies are being sent to the local authority associations and to individual local authorities in England.

18 Mar 1997 : Column: 527

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Jobcentre Vacancies

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans her Department has to ensure that jobcentres accept individual vacancies for display from private employment agencies only when there is a genuine vacancy; [19756]

(2) if she will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding jobcentre vacancies. [19757]

Mr. Forth [holding answer 18 March 1997]: Responsibility for the subject of the questions 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. Jim Cunningham, dated 18 March 1997:

The Secretary of State has asked me to write to you direct to respond to your questions about Jobcentre display of vacancies from private employment agencies and the policy on Jobcentre vacancies.

In accordance with Employment Service (ES) policy on working with external labour market organisations, the ES has an agreement with the Federation of Recruitment and Employment Services (FRES), the national umbrella body for private employment agencies, under which unemployed jobseekers have access to agency vacancies which are advertised in Jobcentres. This increase the number of jobs available to them through the Jobcentre network. Agency vacancies are accepted for display in Jobcentres only where there is a genuine vacancy; that is where there are details of a specific job, and where a contract exists between the agency and the employer. The service is at the discretion of ES local Business Managers who have guidance which sets out clear criteria for accepting agency vacancies.

Your second question relates to our policy regarding Jobcentre vacancies more generally. Jobcentres provide vacancy advertising services to employers under the provisions of the Employment and Training Act 1973. In 1996 Jobcentres handled over 2.5 million vacancies and helped over 2 million people into jobs. These included both full time and part time jobs and covered a range of occupations and pay levels.

Jobcentres work to guidance which advises them to get full information from employers about each vacancy to enable jobseekers and the ES to determine the suitability of the vacancy for individual clients. The guidance also stipulates that Jobcentres must not accept vacancies from employers which are illegal; would result in a breach of the law; or might put jobseekers at risk.

Once a vacancy has been accepted from an employer it is normally put on the Jobcentre vacancy display boards. The information displayed includes the job title, description of main duties, experience/qualification requirements, hours of work, salary and any additional relevant information.

I hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Direction

Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the instruction to Employment Service adjudication officers contained in the "Adjudication Offices Guidance", volume IV, paragraph 26664.4, is required to be taken into account when a jobseeker's direction is issued to a claimant. [20295]

Mr. Forth [holding answer 18 March 1997]: Responsibility 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.

18 Mar 1997 : Column: 528

Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 18 March 1997:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether the instruction to Employment Service adjudication officers contained in paragraph 26664.4 of the Adjudication Officer's guidance, is required to be taken into account when a Jobseeker's Direction is issued to a claimant.

The Adjudication Officer's guidance states that it is not reasonable to expect claimants to take steps that could result in an offer of employment that they would have good cause for refusing if it was notified to them by an employment officer. I can confirm that this is required to be taken into account when a Jobseeker's Direction is issued to a jobseeker.

I hope this clarifies the position.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if (a) drug and (b) alcoholism related conditions qualify as good causes for reducing the prospects of employment due to circumstances beyond their control for claimants of jobseeker's allowance.[20329]

Mr. Forth [holding answer 17 March 1997]: Responsibility 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. Terry Rooney, dated 18 March 1997:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about whether drug and alcohol related conditions qualify as good causes for reducing the prospects of employment due to circumstances beyond their control for claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance.

Jobseekers are generally required to be available for work for at least 40 hours or more each week. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. People who suffer from a mental or physical condition that limits the work they are able to do can restrict their availability for work in any way providing their restrictions are reasonable in the light of their condition. They do not have to have reasonable prospects of securing employment.

If an employment adviser accepts that a jobseeker has either a physical or mental health problem and that the restrictions placed are reasonable in the light of that condition no further action is taken on the claim and there would be no referral to adjudication on that account.

Drink and drug problems can interfere with mental and physical health and any jobseekers with a known problem will have their circumstances taken into account when considering their availability for employment. Advisers encourage such jobseekers to seek specialist help and employment as getting and keeping a job may go part of the way to solving the problem. However, should the problem affect their ability to do any work they would be referred to the Disability Employment Adviser in the Jobcentre who in turn may suggest they see their doctor or seek specialist help.

I hope this is helpful.

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