§ 10. Mr. George Gardinerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider taking steps to extend the protection available to workers faced with redundancy.
§ Mr. John FraserMy right hon. Friend will be publishing a consultative document on an Employment Protection Bill. This will include proposals on the protection available to workers who are made redundant.
§ Mr. GardinerBefore that, as a first step, will the hon. Gentleman consider lifting his blocking reserve on the EEC directive on redundancy in order that workers throughout Western Europe may benefit from its provisions?
§ Mr. FraserQuestion No. 13 on the Order Paper deals with that subject. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to answer it when we reach it.
§ Mr. NewensDoes my hon. Friend intend to give any consideration to the plight of workers employed by firms which go bankrupt, who at present get no proper cover? Will he undertake to ensure that consideration is given to this problem in any future action that is taken to provide proper redundancy payments?
§ Mr. FraserYes. I have recently written to my hon. Friend, and I can confirm that consideration will be given to that proposal.
§ Mr. HayhoeWill the hon. Gentleman assure us that the consultative document to which he has referred will be published before we rise for the Summer Recess?
§ Mr. FraserNo, I cannot give that assurance. I can only say that it will be published later this year.