asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total payment made so far under the Shipbuilding (Redundancy Payments) Act 1978; to how many men payments have been made; and what is the average payment for men paid out.

I understand that payments under the schemes for Great Britain and for Northern Ireland will, by the end of this week, have been made to 2,802 people to a total amount of £3,719,779·83. So far only lump sum payments have been made. The average lump sum is £1,327·54 per person. Periodical payments will commence shortly.