HC Deb 11 July 1991 vol 194 cc463-4W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) to whom he has awarded the contract to carry out the manpower survey currently being undertaken by his Department into the manpower pre and post-abolition of the dock labour scheme; what is the full cost of the survey to his Department; and when he intends to publish the findings of the survey;

(2) which companies, trade unions and organisations it is intended to interview as part of the manpower survey with regard to the abolition of the dock labour scheme; and what part recently set up labour agencies will contribute to the survey;

(3) if he will list each of the terms of reference of the manpower survey with regard to the abolition of the dock labour scheme, and place in the Library a copy of the full remit;

(4) what scope the manpower survey has for assessing the incidence of the use of casual labour.

Table A
Birmingham Area Office
1988–89 1989–90 1990–911
Youth Training (YT) 8,579 7,929 5,417
Adult Training (AT) 27,539 6,734 5,310
Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS) 2,196 1,807 764
1 Birmingham TEC became operational on 12 November 1990.
2 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).

Table B
London Region
1988–89 1989–90 1990–91
Youth Training (YT) 20,941 20,700 20,609
Adult Training (AT) 115,114 20,102 19,573
Enterprise Allowance Scheme (EAS) 2 8,999 7,047
1 Adult Training for 1988–89 excludes Community Programme (CP).
2 Not available.

Note: The figures for YT and AT are based on the average number in training. The figures for EAS are based on the actual numbers joining.

Mr. Forth

In conjunction with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, I have commissioned MDS-Transmodal and PIEDA plc to undertake a wide-ranging research project into the effects of the abolition of the dock labour scheme in 1989.

The terms of reference of the study, which is expected to cost £140,000 and to take about 15 months to complete, are: To assess the economic and social implications of the abolition of the Dock Labour Scheme, by means of a review of existing sources and the collection of fresh data, including attitudinal information, both in the docks and in the wider port areas".

I am placing in the Library a copy of the invitation to tender and the research specification for the project, which includes an examination of the rationalisation of labour practices in the docks since the abolition of the scheme.

It will be for the consultants to decide which organisations to interview during this research project.

I would expect the main findings to be published shortly after the completion of the final report.

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