§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will adopt policies designed to safeguard the interests of workers in firms in Northern Ireland threatened with closure, in particular where the owners are holding companies registered in Great Britain 623W concerned primarily with overall profitability.
§ Mr. OrmeI am very conscious of the need to look after the interests of workers in firms threatened with closure, and examine the circumstances of each case, including the availability of alternative employment in the area, very closely. The Government's proposals for a system of planning agreements negotiated at national level and for a National Enterprise Board will extend to Northern Ireland, where they will be developed alongside the existing rôles of the Department of Commerce and the NI Finance Corporation.