§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many jobs have been lost in the confectionery industry in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what increase has taken place in short-time working over the same period;
(2) how many jobs have been lost in the confectionery industry in Halifax in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and what increase in short-time working has taken place over the same period.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been declared in the confectionery industry in the Halifax area since the beginning of the year.
§ Mr. Jim LesterMy Department has received no advance notifications, in accordance with section 100 of the Employment Protection Act 1975, of proposed redundancies in the confectionery industry in the Halifax travel-to-work area since the beginning of the year. Furthermore, I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that over the same period they, too, have no record of any redundancies notified to them as likely to occur in the confectionery industry in this area. Employers are not required by law, however, to notify my Department of prospective redundancies involving less than 10 employees and, similarly, the MSC records do not cover redundancies of less than 10.