§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the operation of the Employent Protection Act in the light of terms of notice and redundancy provisions offered to employees at Scofisco Ltd., Glasgow.
§ Mr. GoldingYes. Redundancy arrangements in particular cases are a matter for the employer concerned, subject to consultation with trade union representatives in accordance with section 99 of the Employment Protection Act and the requirements of the Redundancy Payments Acts. In addition, the Contracts of Employment Act 1972 lays down minimum periods of notice and contains provisions to protect employees' rights during the notice period. Appropriate trade unions who consider that an employer has not complied with the provisions of Section 99 of the Employment Protection Act, and employees who consider that he has not complied with the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Acts, may present a complaint to an industrial tribunal. Employees who consider they have incurred loss because the notice provisions of the Contracts of Employment Act have not been complied with can bring an action in the civil courts.
The Employment Protection Act also contains special provisions designed to protect the rights of employees whose employer becomes insolvent.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will institute an inquiry into the circumstances in which the employees of Scofisco Ltd. were disqualified from obtaining redundancy payments.
§ Mr. GoldingNo. Employees of Scofisco Limited are covered by the Redundancy Payments Act 1965 in the normal way. As the company is insolvent, arrangements are in hand to make full payment to qualified employees direct from the Redundancy Fund as soon as possible.