§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he plans to take to assist the employees of Pendy Plastics (Mainetti) of Deeside Industrial Park who are to be made redundant; and if he will make a statement. [69612]
§ Mr. HainAs always when redundancies are announced my Department and its agencies are available to assist, where possible, those that will be affected by redundancy.
A meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 9 February with the company's Personnel Department. This will include representatives from the WDA, Flintshire County Council and the Employment Service who will be the initial contact point for those made redundant. CELTIC will also give advice and guidance as necessary and have asked the Employment Service to ensure that all those persons made redundant are registered for training.
The WDA is already in contact with other companies in the area who use similar manufacturing techniques, to ascertain whether they have vacancies requiring those skills, and all effort will be made to match workers to vacancies.
98Wevenings to ask their questions. It has been clear from the questions and the discussion that those attending include people with interests in the business sector, local government, trade unions and voluntary organisations as well as members of the general public.
I have been accompanied by my private secretary and, with the exception of the public meeting in Newport, which was the first in the series of meetings, one official has attended to make the necessary arrangements. A press officer has attended 6 meetings.
The support provided by my Department is given as part of its normal duties and has been met from within existing resources. The only additional cost incurred by my Department up to and including 4 February, which covers the first 13 meetings, is £490. This relates almost exclusively to the provision of facilities, principally translation facilities, for the public meetings in Wrexham and Llandudno.
The meetings have provided an excellent opportunity to discuss both all-Wales issues and matters of local concern. Even the smallest meetings have been positive and lively, with individuals raising a series of issues. I have found them both challenging and rewarding.
Everything possible is being done to help those affected by redundancy.
In future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.