§ Mr. Parryasked the Paymaster General when rebates from the redundancy fund will be abolished; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe proposal to abolish the payment of employer's rebates for all but the smallest firms—those with fewer than 10 employees — is contained in the Wages Bill which is currently under consideration in another place. It is expected to come into effect on 1 August or upon Royal Assent of the Bill, whichever is the later.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Paymaster General how much financial assistance has been given to firms on Merseyside by way of rebates from the redundancy fund in each of the past three years.
§ Mr. TrippierI regret that the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Paymaster General if he will introduce some flexibility into the proposed cut-off date for rebate arrangements under the redundancy fund.
§ Mr. TrippierNo. The Government do not believe that it would be right to treat some employers differently from others. The precise cut-off arrangements, which will apply to all employers, are specified in schedule 6 to the Wages Bill currently before Parliament.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Paymaster General what representations he has received from Bibby Edible Oils Ltd. concerning rebates from the redundancy fund; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe managing director of Bibby Edible Oils Ltd. wrote to the Secretary of State on 10 June. A full reply was sent to his letter on 4 July, confirming that following enactment of the Wages Bill rebates will only be available to employers with more than nine employees if the redundancies took place before August 1986.