§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many textile firms have closed or declared over 20 redundancies in Oldham since January 1979; what were the dates of these closures; how many workers were affected and how many were from the ethnic minorities; how many of these redundant workers were found other jobs and how many of these were from the ethnic minorities; what is the average age of those made redundant: which types of textile workers have suffered the greatest redundancies, as between weaving, ring spinning or other types of work; and what provision has been made for retraining, language classes or other assistance to find jobs.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply. 26 June 1980, c 236–37]: I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the public employment and training services, that it was notified of five redundancies involving more than 20 workers due to occur in the textile industry in Oldham between January 1979 and May 1980. Of these notified redundancies four involved closures which occurred in January 1979, March 1979, October 1979 and May 1980. The redundancies involved 294 workers but no details are available of their age or ethnic origins, nor is it known how many of these are still seeking employment.
Precise details of occupations involved are not available, but about 150 of the workers affected were in weaving and 33 in ring spinning. The remainder are employed in unskilled or clerical occupations.
The usual services of the MSC were made available to those concerned at the time of the redundancies. These services include information and advice on the alternative employment opportunities available, the facilities for training and re-training and the grants and allowances that may be payable to those willing to take up employment in other areas.
756WA wide range of courses under the training opportunities scheme is available, and there are some 1,550 training places at skillcentres and colleges within daily travelling distance of Oldham. No English as second-language courses are supported by TOPS in the Oldham area. The main responsibility for language courses rests with the local education authority.