asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether there is any formula common to all industries in the United Kingdom for the assessment of redundancy payments following plant closures or whether an ad hoc approach is adopted.

The redundancy provisions of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 apply equally to all redundant employees entitled to benefit irrespective of the industry in which they are employed. There is no other common formula.Private sector redundancy payments over and above the statutory scheme are a matter for employers individually and will vary according to circumstances.