§ 68. Mr. Robert Edwardsasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, in an attempt to avoid their obligations under the Act, firms have decided to dismiss all their employees before the coming into force of the Redundancy Payments Act on 6th December and to re-engage them three days later; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent this.
§ Mr. GunterI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I issued to the Press on 28th October following reports that a Midlands building firm was proposing to do this. As I said in that statement, I am advised that such action would not achieve the purpose intended and that the provisions of the Act ensure that it could in no way affect the entitlement of employees should they become redundant after 6th December.