§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment, further to his reply of 17th February to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, if he will tabulate the increases made by wages council awards during 1976, giving the total resultant wage in each case.
480WBayhall Works, Huddersfield, on the circumstances of the proposed redundancy of 250 staff there, and in particular on the failure to implement the undertaking to offer employment to 50 to 60 Heywood Williams' employees at James Gibbons Limited, Wolverhampton; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingOn 2nd February 1977 Heywood Williams notified my Department of 281 proposed redundancy dismissals due to take effect between 2nd May and 31st December 1977. This complies with the notification requirements of the Employment Protection Act 1975. I understand that negotiations are in hand for James Gibbons Limited, Wolverhampton, to take over some of the order book of the Heywood Williams Group, and to offer employment for 50 to 60 of Heywood Williams' employees. These negotiations were interrupted by an industrial dispute, but this has now been settled, and the deal seems likely to go ahead. There are also likely to be immediate redeployment prospects within the industry for another 50 or so employees. My officials will keep in touch with developments.