§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many personnel have been made redundant by British Shipbuilders in the last 12 months; and what was the average redundancy payment per person.
§ Mr. ButcherThe numbers made redundant by British Shipbuilders in 1983 amount to 7,313. The average redundancy payment made to these persons could not readily be calculated: it would in many cases include periodic payments yet to be made. However, the average payout per head under the shipbuilding redundancy scheme and Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 combined is currently estimated to be around £7,500.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what subjects he expects to discuss at his next meeting with representatives of British Shipbuilders.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI regularly meet the chairman and representatives of BS to discuss any issues of concern to the industry and to Government across the range of the corporation's activities.
§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision has been made for redundancy payments to workers employed at Scott Lithgow; and if he will estimate the cost in the event of (a) 1,400 and (b) 4,000 redundancies at Scott Lithgow.
§ Mr. ButcherEmployees made redundant at Scott Lithgow are expected to be eligible for redundancy payments under the shipbuilding redundancy payments scheme and the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act in the normal way. Benefits will vary with the age, service and current earnings of those concerned but are not expected to differ greatly from the current average payment of around £7,500 under both schemes for employees of British Shipbuilders as a whole. On this basis the cost of redundancies at the levels assumed would be around £10.5 million and £30 million respectively.