HC Deb 07 November 1996 vol 284 cc618-9W
Mr. Clapham

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many workers have been made unemployed by the privatised gas, water, electricity and telecoms utilities between April 1992 and April 1996; and what is the estimated cost to public funds. [2974]

Mr. John M. Taylor

This is a commercial matter for the companies concerned. There are long-term benefits to the whole economy from allowing resources, including labour, to move to more productive uses, and to the extent that redundant employees find alternative employment there would be benefits to public funds as well as to the economy.