§ Mr. Robert Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware of the unemployment caused by the sudden closure of four factories in the West Midlands area owned by the multi-national company of Glenburn Engineering; and if he will take steps to prevent foreign-based firms taking such action without consultation with the Government and the trade unions concerned.
§ Mr. John FraserMy Department is aware of these redundancies. The Employment Protection Bill, which the Government intend to introduce early in the New Year, will, among other things, require all employers, whether foreign or home-based, to consult effectively with recognised independent trade unions in210W the case of all intended redundancies and to notify the Department of Employment well in advance of the larger redundancies.