§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps the Government propose to take to ensure that temporary employment subsidy payments are more evenly spread amongst different sectors of industry.
§ Mr. GoldingIt is not feasible to do this while retaining the present scheme. The nature of the scheme is such that the distribution of assistance between industries follows the pattern of redundancies arising in the economy.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates have been made of the proportion of jobs preserved by temporary employment subsidy to jobs lost in unsubsidised competitor firms as a result of the TES subsidised competition.
§ Mr. GoldingI regret that I am unable to supply information in the form requested. It is not possible to estimate with any confidence the extent and timing of job displacement occurring as a result of TES.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms are receiving temporary employment subsidy for more than 100 workers or for more than 50 per cent. of their work force.
§ Mr. GoldingIt is estimated that there are about 2,000 firms currently in receipt of TES for either more than 100 workers or more than 50 per cent. of the work force of an establishment.