§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in view of current payments of regional employment premium and temporary employment subsidy to private industry, he will now consider paying regional employment premium to nationalised industries in order to assist them to retain labour during the particularly difficult economic period immediately ahead; and if he will give special consideration to regional employment premium assistance to mining operations in the development areas.
Mr. Joel BamettI have been asked to reply.
Regional employment premium is already paid to nationalised industries in respect of employees engaged in qualifying 218W activities. The Government have all aspects of REP under review.