§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider his present proposals for compensating employers on becoming responsible for sick pay, in the light of the burden this will place on manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinYes. I intend to proceed with a statutory sick pay scheme, but recognise the importance of devising the fairest method of compensating employers for the statutory payments they will be required to make. Alternative proposals have been put to me very recently and they deserve careful examination. Accordingly I have decided to delay the introduction of the proposed legislation until next Session to allow more time to consider and consult upon this aspect of the scheme.