Optical Fibres (Hansard, 29 October 1998)

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he attempted to assist the optical fibres plant DIP Flintshire prior to the announcement of redundancies; and if he will make a statement. [56496]

§ Mr. Hain
The North Wales TEC was in touch with the company prior to the announcement and was able to put the appropriate assistance packages in place to help those that would be affected by redundancy. This has been considered as a large-scale redundancy which enables employees who have lost their jobs to be immediately eligible for Work Based Training for Adults, the New Deal for Employment Service programmes.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for the optical fibres industry in Wales. [56495]

§ Mr. Hain
Despite recent reverses, the prospects for the optical fibres industry in Wales remain very encouraging. The Wales Opto-Electronics Forum, which brings together all the major players in this sector, from both industry and academia, is currently examining ways of building further on their individual and combined strengths.
Supporting the Opto-Electronics industry in Wales is one of the flagship projects in the Wales Regional Technology Plan, which sets out the longer term vision of creating in Wales a culture which encourages and values innovation.
Members of the Opto-Electronics Forum are considering how to establish North East Wales as a Centre of Excellence by developing a cluster of firms in the Opto-Electronic sector.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals his Department and its agencies have to assist the optical fibres (BICC) plant at Deeside Industrial Park; and if he will make a statement. [56491]

§ Mr. Hain
The Welsh Office has approved the North Wales TEC's application that this should be regarded as a large scale redundancy. Those affected by redundancy will therefore be immediately eligible for Work Based Training for Adults, the New Deal and Employment Service programmes. Following the announcement the officials from the WDA and Flintshire County Council met the company and have agreed to take all possible steps to try and assist the workforce in finding alternative employment, with a view also to ensuring that the skills of the workforce can quickly be put to productive use for the benefit of the local economy.