asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the average weekly outflow from the redundancy fund during the last three months; and how long he estimates that the fund will remain solvent if this trend continues.

The average weekly outflow from the Redundancy Fund during the period of 13 weeks ended 25th July was £1,828,000. At the present rate of depletion, it is estimated that the Fund will need to make use of its authorised borrowing powers some time during the next three months.