§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate 279W the possible redundancy in certain sections of the electronics industry, including the manufacture of semi-conductors and integrated circuits; what consultations are taking place between Her Majesty's Government, manufacturers and trade unions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David PriceQuestions about estimates of future redundancies are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment. In the micro-electronics sector, however, there has been the recent announcement by one manufacturer that two factories, in which about 450 people are at present employed, may be closed in the coming months.
My hon. Friend, the Joint Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and I have met representatives of the unions and the local authority directly concerned with one of these factories, together with several Members of this House, including the hon. Member. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Aerospace will be meeting representatives of management and unions on 5th August. In our consideration of the difficulties facing this sector of the electronics industry we shall continue to consult representatives of the industry.