§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to recover the money paid by Powys TEC to Merchant Designs Manufacturing for employee training; and from whom; [31893]
(2) what communication he has had from the receiver concerning the money given to Merchant Designs Manufacturing for employee training by Powys TEC; and if he will make a statement. [31892]
§ Mr. HainNo correspondence has been received from the Official Receiver about funding given to Merchant Designs Manufacturing by Powys TEC. The TEC has been told that any funding received from the Welsh Office which was not used for training will be repayable to the Department. Recovery of its funding from the company is a matter for the TEC.
§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has in respect of redundancy payments for the former employees of Merchant Designs Manufacturing in Machynlleth; and if he will make a statement. [31896]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyI have been asked to reply.
Merchant Designs Manufacturing was put into creditors' voluntary liquidation on 30 January 1998. Claims from fifty nine former employees for payment of statutory redundancy entitlement and salary and holiday pay arrears under the Employment Rights Act 1996 were received at Birmingham Redundancy Payments Office on 10 February. All those who were entitled have been paid. Claims for pay for unworked notice are being received and processed.