HC Deb 04 March 1981 vol 1000 cc135-6W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of employees in Scotland on short-time working and the number of employers making use of the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

I regret that the information is not available in the precise form requested. An estimate of the number of operatives in manufacturing industry in Scotland who were on short-time working in the week ending 13 December 1980, the latest date for which information is available, was published in the February edition of the Department of EmploymentGazette—table 1.13. Estimates of short-time working among other groups of employees are not available. Records of applications under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme are not kept on a company basis.

Mr. Younger

The inter-departmental group of officials was asked to examine all possible options for the replacement of domestic rates. It has no formal terms of reference.