§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he will take 153W to examine claims by male steelworkers that up to 800 redundant Shotton men are losing to female colleagues in redundancy settlements because of a British Steel Corporation ruling; if he is aware of major anomalies regarding make-up pay and pension availability; what steps he will take to achieve parity for all redundant steelworkers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallI am aware that a number of male steelworkers at Shotton, particularly those between the ages of 50 and 55, claim that they are being unfairly discriminated against and their case is being taken before industrial tribunals. Redundancy settlements are largely a matter for the BSC itself, but the payments for which my Department is responsible, under the iron and steel employees readaptation benefits scheme, do include provisions for women to take a pension option and certain other benefits five years before men.