§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been lost with the final run-down of the towns' gas industry in Northern Ireland; and how many of these will be replaced by jobs in the natural gas industry in Northern Ireland. [19867]
§ Mr. AncramAt 31 March 1985, the gas undertakings in Northern Ireland employed some 980 staff and the last undertaking closed in May 1993. It is too early to estimate the number of jobs that could be provided by a natural gas industry.
§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs were lost after disbanding the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's direct labour organisation; and how many of those made redundant secured employment in the private sector in the same field of work. [19872]
402W
§ Mr. MossThis is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I understand from the chief executive that its direct labour organisation was not disbanded; it was, however, scaled down from 749 employees, permanent and temporary, in January 1993 to its current complement of 127 employees. Details of how many staff subsequently took up employment in the private sector are not available.