HC Deb 27 October 1983 vol 47 cc153-4W
Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations his Department received and whom it consulted before drafting the Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1983, S.I. 1983, No. 1160.

Mr. Gummer

The order was prepared in consultation with the Department of the Environment, the Department of Education and Science, the Home Office, the Scottish Office, the local authority associations, trade unions in the local government field and all the bodies listed in the order.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated cost to central and local government of the changes made by the Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1983.

Mr. Gummer

The long-term effect of the order is expected to be broadly neutral. Those made redundant and leaving local government altogether will clearly be entitled to payments based on total service, which may be longer than service with the last employer alone in a small minority of cases. Conversely, those made redundant but redeployed elsewhere in local government will no longer be entitled to payments.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what other employees or groups of employees enjoy similar benefits to those given to local government workers by the Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1983.

Mr. Gummer

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the provisions for aggregating service for redundancy payments purposes. Similar provisions apply, under a variety of statutory and negotiated arrangements, to National Health Service staff, registered dock workers, merchant seamen, and workers in the electricity supply industry. Employees in the private sector are also entitled to aggregate continuous service with associated employers.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what commitments were received by his Department after the drafting of the Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1983 and before the order was made on 28 July.

Mr. Gummer

A number of drafts were circulated at various times to interested parties in the local government field. Comments received mainly concerned the identity of the employing bodies to be included.