§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what representations he has received on behalf of dock labour scheme port employers expressing concern at the effect on their competitive position of the burden of financing severance schemes administered by the National Dock Labour Board and drawing attention to the possible loss of jobs consequential upon any decision by scheme port employers to terminate their operations;
(2) when he expects to complete his urgent review of the basis of dock worker severance finance referred to in his minute presented to Parliament dated 30 January; on what basis severances of registered dock workers will be permanently financed after the current arrangements expire on 31 March; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will make it his policy to ensure that any revised scheme for the financing of severance payments for dock workers takes account of the impact of such a scheme on the relative competitive positions of scheme and non-scheme port employers.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend is having continuing discussions with representatives of the port employers about severance arrangements in their industry. These discussions have embraced the issues to which my hon. Friend refers.