§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the number of and percentage increase in unemployment in the appropriate travel-to-work areas if Moderna, Mytholmroyd, John Cockcroft and Sons, Todmorden, and John Shaw, Stainland close their plants and declare redundancies as notified to his Departments; and what action he is taking to avert redundancies.
§ Mr. Golding,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th January 1977; Vol. 768W 924, c. 455–6.], gave the following information:
It is not possible to make a precise estimate of the likely effect on unemployment levels of the proposed redundancies notified by these companies since experience of previous redundancies suggests that, in practice, a substantial proportion of those made redundant do not register as unemployed. In addition, those who do register tend to do so at the employment office nearest their home, which does not necessarily lie within the employment office area or travel-to-work area within which the redundancy occurs.
The only assistance available from my Department, as distinct from the Department of Industry, which can help avert redundancies is that provided under the Temporary Employment Subsidy (TES) Scheme. Officials of my Department have ensured that all three companies are aware of the assistance available under the scheme. However, it is for the companies to decide whether or not they wish to make an application. In addition, I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the Employment Services Agency had a special job team on site from 17th-19th January which interviewed some 160 employees.