§ 48. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has had inquiries made as to the financial capability of industry to meet its liability for redundancy payments as they occur, in view of the Government's forecast of future unemployment, and the lack of growth anticipated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserI have no reason to believe that industry is incapable of meeting its liability for statutory redundancy payments. However, in any case where an employer is unable to meet his liability, payment is made direct to the employee from the Redundancy Fund and attempts are then made to recover from the employer his share of the cost.
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the monthly total of redundancy payments made during the last six months for which figures are available.
§ Mr. John FraserThe following information relates to employees in respect of whom payments—including rebates to employers and guarantee payments—were made from the Redundancy Fund during the periods shown:
Total received by employees concerned Number of employees £ December 1974 … 7,993,000 17,637 January 1975 … 11,935,000 24,526 February 1975 … 11,054,000 23,234 March 1975 … 10,127,000 22,897 April 1975 … 11,720,000 26,070 May 1975 … 11,557,000 24,212