HC Deb 04 March 1981 vol 1000 cc127-8W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies are awaiting initial approval from the Manchester office of his Department of temporary employment subsidy schemes; how many companies in the North-West region are now approved for such payment; how many companies have been approved by the Manchester office but are awaiting visits by wages inspectors before they can receive cash payment; and what is the current average waiting time in the Manchester region between first submitting an application for approval and receipt of the first Ministry payment.

Employees in Employment in West Midlands (Thousands)
Standard Industrial Classification 1968 June 1976 June 1977 June 1978 June 1979 June 1980
Agriculture, forestry, fishing 32 32 31 30 29
Mining and quarrying 26 25 25 25 25
Food, drink and tobacco 55 55 53 56 55
Coal and petroleum products 1 2 1
Chemicals and allied industries 19 21 21 23 22
Metal manufacture 116 121 120 114 105

Mr. Peter Morrison

It is not possible to produce statistics about the temporary short-time working compensation scheme analysed by company as some companies submit more than one application. It is, however, estimated that in the North-West region

  1. (1) there are at present 400 applications awaiting initial approval under the scheme;
  2. (2) at present 1198 applications are approved and are receiving reimbursement under the scheme;
  3. (3) there are 144 companies awaiting a visit from an official after the first four-week claim has been submitted;
  4. (4) the current average time between submission of an application and receipt of first payment (which is made in arrears for each four or five-week period) is eight weeks.

Forward to