§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Employment what view the EEC Commission takes on temporary employment subsidy; whether it desires to see this phased out; what representations the EEC Commission has made that temporary employment subsidy should not be 597W paid at the present level in relation to the textile and footwear industries; whether any discussions have taken place with the EEC Commission on temporary employment subsidy; and whether any decision has been taken in relation to its future.
§ Mr. John GrantThe EEC Commission was notified in accordance with our obligations under the Treaty of Rome when the temporary employment subsidy scheme was originally introduced and it has been notified of extensions to and changes in the scheme since then. The scheme is due to end on 31st March 1978 and the Government are now reviewing its future. If it is to be extended beyond that date, the EEC Commission will again have to be notified. No formal representations have been made by the Commission, but it has intimated informally that it might wish to ask for changes in the scheme. Informal discussions are going on.