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Written Answers

Volume 416: debated on Tuesday 3 February 1981

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Written Answers

Eec Students: Uk Charges

asked Her Majesty's Government:How much financial benefit will accrue to the United Kingdom as a result of the policy of charging EEC students the full foreigners rate for board and lodging for residential courses.

Information is not available on the savings derived from charging EEC students the same economic costs for board and lodging as are charged to any students in the public sector, who is not ordinarily resident in England and Wales.

Northern Ireland Manufacturing Industries: Employment Statistics

asked Her Majesty's Government:What were the total numbers of male and female employees in employment in the Northern Ireland manufacturing industries sector, as returned in the last available Quarterly Employment Inquiry.

The information from the September 1980 Quarterly Employment Inquiry (the latest available) was as follows:—

Male80,700
Female43,750

The Short Time Working Compensation Scheme In Northern Ireland

a) what is the total number of jobs now known to be supported under the Short Time Working Compensation Scheme in the manufacturing sector of employment in Northern Ireland; and

( b) what is the increase in the number of employees in employment for whom applications for compensation payments to employers have been received

under the Short Time Working Compensation Scheme since the statement on 9th December, 1980, by the then Minister of State for Northern Ireland, that 9,176 jobs were being supported under the Scheme.

a) 7,049 jobs, which represent the number of workers in manufacturing industry whose redundancy has been averted by the scheme.

( b) Since my honourable friend's statement of 9th December, applications in respect of 816 employees have been received.

Short-Time Working In Northern Ireland

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the total number of employees on short-time working in all sectors of employment in Northern Ireland, in the last available count.

There are no figures available on the total number of employees on short-time working in Northern Ireland.

The Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme

a) What are their plans to review the administrative arrangements, and the industrial, employment and social effects of the Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme in the standard regions of the United Kingdom; and

( b) What arrangements are there in Northern Ireland for suitable consultations with the representatives of both sides of industry about the operation and future of the Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme in Northern Ireland.

(a) The Temporary Short-Time Working Compensation Scheme is reviewed annually along with all the special employment measures. The industrial, employment and social effects of the TSTWC scheme are taken into account as part of this review. The administrative arrangements of the scheme are constantly under review in an attempt to increase the efficiency of the scheme whilst at the same time maintaining proper control on the disbursement of public funds.(

b) As the Northern Ireland scheme operates on the same basis as that in Great Britain changes to the Northern Ireland scheme have followed those for the rest of the United Kingdom.

Shipbuilding Companies: Compensation

asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps are being taken to pay fair and proper compensation to shipbuilding companies which were nationalised by the previous Government, many of whom have received only token payments.

Agreed settlements totalling £67·26 million have now been reached, and the appropriate compensation stock issued, in respect of 18 of the 21 shipbuilding companies nationalised by the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977. Arbitration is in progress on two companies, and negotiations continue with regard to one company. Payments on account amounting to £2·45 million have been made in respect of these three outstanding cases.

Marine Nature Reserves: Consultation Paper

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the expected consultation paper concerning proposals for statutorily protected Marine Nature Reserves will be issued and whether they will ensure that copies are available to Members of this House.

A consultation paper concerning Marine Nature Reserves has been issued today and copies have been placed in the Library of this House.

Diego Garcia: Civil Administration

asked Her Majesty's Government:What changes are proposed in the administration of Diego Garcia following the review visit of Mr. Keith Speed, MP, Under-Secretary for the Navy, in order to facilitate the duties of the British Lieutenant Commander and his staff of 25 and to provide them with adequate accommodation, in view of the fact that they are responsible for regulations governing the lives of between 2,000 and 3,000 Americans.

My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Royal Navy has made certain proposals designed to enhance the ability of the Royal Navy Party to perform its responsibilities for civil administration on the island. These are currently under consideration within interested departments. The accommodation of the Naval Party (which currently numbers 28) is considered adequate.House adjourned at twenty minutes before one o'clock.