HC Deb 15 December 1978 vol 960 cc393-4W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many people had received payments under the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Act 1978 by 7th December; and how many of them come from yards on Tyneside and on Wearside, respectively.

Mr. Les Huckfield:

I understand that by 7th December British Shipbuilders had made lump sum payments under the scheme for Great Britain to 221 persons, of whom 65 were employed at its establishments on Tyneside and 96 on Wearside.

Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement regarding expediting outstanding payments under the Shipbuilding Industry (Redundancy Payments) Act 1978 will receive those payments.

Mr. Les Huckfield:

I understand payments are being made as quickly as possible.

Mr. Les Huckfield:

I understand that the first lump sum payments in respect of the scheme for Great Britain were made by British Shipbuilders on 30th November; and in respect of the scheme for Northern Ireland are to be made by Harland and Wolff today. It is expected that payments of all outstanding lump sums will be completed in the near future. Periodical payments are payable over periods varying up to two years according to the individual circumstances of eligible persons. It is expected that outstanding periodical payments will be made in the near future; thereafter they will be made over the appropriate periods.

Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many people are eligible for redundancy payments under the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Act 1978; and how many come from Tyneside and yards on Wearside, respectively.

Mr. Les Huckfield:

Payments under the schemes for Great Britain and Northern Ireland are made by British Shipbuilders and Harland and Wolff Ltd. respectively. I understand that the numbers of people at present eligible for payments are 2,768 under the scheme for Great Britain, of whom 1,571 were employed at British Shipbuilders' establishments on Tyneside and 254 at such establishments on Wearside, and some 650 former employees of Harland and Wolff under the scheme for Northern Ireland.