Redundancy Payments

Mr. Kenneth Baker
asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what has been the total cost of redundancy payments in each of the last five years; what it is in the current year; and what are the estimates for 1980–81 and 1981–82;(2) what was the average amount paid to individuals in respect of redundancy payments in each of the last five years; and what it will be in the current year;(3) whether the statistics kept concerning redundancy payments show what proportion of such payments is made to people who, having left their jobs, go immediately into retirement.

Mr. Jim Lester
I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.