HC Deb 22 November 1999 vol 339 cc34-5W
Mr. Healey

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long the current allocation to the partnership fund under the Employment Relations Act 1999 is projected to last. [98467]

Mr. Alan Johnson

Up to £5 million is to be made available in a series of calls, over a period of four years. The fund will support projects which either develop partnerships in the workplace or disseminate the benefits of workplace partnership more widely.

Mr. White

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the second commencement order under the Employment Relations Act 1999 to be made; and if the order will include section 18(1–5). [98626]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The second commencement order (S.I. 1999/2830) under the Employment Relations Act 1999 was made on 14 October. It included sections 18(1)—(5). For further details of the provisions covered by both the first and second commencement orders, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney) on 21 October 1999,Official Report, column 613W.

Mr. Healey

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the closing date will be for the second round of bids for resources from the partnership fund established under the Employment Relations Act 1999. [98468]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The timing of the second round has not yet been set but will be decided and announced in the light of the take-up of the first round, which closes on 26 November 1999.