Temporary Employment Subsidy

HC Deb 13 April 1978 vol 947 cc1649-51

6. Mr. McCusker

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place over the continuation of the temporary employment subsidy in Northern Ireland; and if he will indicate the arrangements which have been made to consider applications from Northern Ireland companies which were alleged to be in competition with companies from the Irish Republic.

Mr. Concannon

Discussions have taken place at ministerial and at official levels between Her Majesty's Government and the EEC Commission. Discussions at official level have also taken place under the auspices of the EEC Commission with member States.

The question of competition with firms in the Irish Republic arises only in sectors of the textile, clothing and footwear industries. Arrangements to deal with such cases have been notified to the EEC Commission and will be the subject of discussion with the Commission in the near future.

Mr. McCusker

Will the Minister of State confirm that the Republic of Ireland orchestrated opposition to the continuation of this subsidy in Northern Ireland? Does not this expose the hypocrisy of representatives from Eire to the EEC in claiming to look after the interests of the people of Northern Ireland even more so than Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Concannon

The hon. Gentleman should be a little careful, because the original complaint was not from the South about the North. The original complaint was from three member States—I think that the South was one of them—but was against TES in the United Kingdom as a whole. The hon. Gentleman has congratulated us on the work that we have done in keeping TES in Northern Ireland as we have.

Mr. Dunlop

In view of the figures given by the Secretary of State of the intake into the various security forces, may I ask whether the Minister is aware of the deep frustration of many people who seek to join these forces and are rejected? Is the Minister also aware that I have a constituent who served six years in the British Army, came out with the rank of corporal, tried to join the UDR and has been refused six times, even though his last application was supported by his commanding officer? Will the Minister tell us something of the techniques employed by the selection boards in rejecting these people?

Mr. Concannon

I think that the hon. Gentleman is jumping the gun on his later Question. I do not think that I have had any applications for TES from the UDR.

Mr. Madden

Will my right hon. Friend make it abundantly clear that the modifications which the British Government have been forced to make to the TES have come about as a direct response to interventions from the Commissioner for competition, and that it is just as well for those who were so keen to ensure that Britain became a member of the Common Market to ponder on the consequences at this stage?

Mr. Concannon

I am responsible only for the affairs of Northern Ireland and the effect that it has on business there. I can only say—

Mr. Russell Kerr

It gives us an insight.

Mr. Concannon

It gives us an insight. My hon. Friend is right. But I am responsible only for the matters that I have mentioned and for the workings of the TES system within Northern Ireland.

Mr. Neave

The TES may have great advantages in the short term. Will the Minister of State say what is the Government's policy for job creation in the long term? He will remember that he was asked twice in this House, in the Appropriation Order debate, what was the Government's policy in regard to the target of the Quigley Report. What is now the position in regard to that target?

Mr. Concannon

We have been implementing the Quigley Report. Some of the major recommendations in that report have already been carried out. As the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged, we are increasing public spending in Northern Ireland tremendously on this account. At the end of the day, the answer with regard to employment in Northern Ireland is more jobs. That will take a great deal of public expenditure. I hope that hon. Members acknowledge that. It also means that we must sell the image of Northern Ireland. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is very difficult selling Northern Ireland to investors. However, we have recently had some success.