asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider making temporary employment subsidy payable to nationalised industries; and if he will make a statement.

In drawing up the TES scheme it was decided, after careful consideration, to limit it in general to the private sector because employers in the public sector are more open to direct influence by the Government. It is not my intention to extend the scheme to cover the nationalised industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider making temporary employment subsidy available to the public sector; and if he will make a statement.

As indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend of 3rd March, temporary employment subsidy is available only exceptionally in the public sector. In drawing up the scheme is was decided after careful consideration that TES could not apply generally to the public sector and it is not my intention to change the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the criteria mentioned in his Written Answer, 3rd March, Column 205, Official Report,