§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action his Department is taking in the light of the redundancies at Chloride Limited, Clifton Junction; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterChloride Industrial Batteries Limited has notified my Department that because of reduced demand for automotive batteries, it intends to concentrate production of this type of battery at its factory in Dagenham and make 500 people at its Clifton Junction factory redundant. I understand that the firm has called for volunteers.
The local jobcentre manager is in close touch with the company and those who are to be made redundant will be interviewed at the factory and given advice about the full range of services which the Manpower Services Commission has to offer to help them find new jobs or acquire a new skill.
The only financial assistance which my Department can offer to help avert redundancies is through the temporary short-time working compensation scheme. The company is aware of the scheme but does not see it as a solution to its current difficulties.