§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average delay in payment of the temporary short-time working compensation scheme subsidy to industry.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe number of applications to join the scheme has increased considerably this year and as a result delays of two to three weeks on average have occurred in payments to industry. We have already taken steps to speed up payments in the regions worst affected, and are urgently considering what more might be done.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines or instructions he has issued to offices of his Department on the payment of temporary short-time working compensation scheme subsidies.
§ Mr. Jim LesterFull instructions have been issued to departmental staff on the payment of compensation under the temporary short time working compensation scheme, subject to approval of applications and checks of the claims made by employers.