HC Deb 16 November 1976 vol 919 cc1095-6
11. Mr. Bryan Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will pay an official visit to the London borough of Enfield.

Mr. John Grant

My right hon. Friend at present has no plans to do so.

Mr. Davies

Does my hon. Friend accept that if he visited the London borough of Enfield he would meet a great deal of concern among my constituents at the proposed loss of jobs at Standard Telephones and Cables? Will he further accept that this is an illustration of the extent to which public expenditure cuts lead to a loss of jobs in manufacturing industry?

Mr. Grant

My Department has not been formally notified of any proposed redundancies in STC at New Southgate. I know that there have been reports of redundancies to occur at that factory, I believe next year, and I hope that the company will take into account the availability of help under the temporary employment subsidy scheme before it takes any decisions about future employment levels at the New Southgate factory.

I do not think that the question of public expenditure cuts is relevant. If we keep inflation in check and increase our industrial competitiveness, although no one can pretend that the problems will vanish, we shall go a long way towards resolving them.

Mr. Ralph Howell

I am very pleased that the Government have at last recognised the need to tax all short-term benefits, or at least investigate the position—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. Hon. Members must try to relate their questions to the Question on the Order Paper.