asked the Paymaster General how many staff are employed in jobcentres; and what are the planned totals for March 1987, 1988 and 1989.

Statistics on the allocation of staff are maintained by programme rather than location. In March 1987, there will be 9,835 people employed, mainly in jobcentres, on programmes which cover the principal jobcentre activities, including helping long-term unemployed people through jobclubs and the restart programme. The comparable planning figure for 1988 and 1989 is 10,318 in each year.