That this House condemns the actions of Cathelco Group Ltd in depriving 16 former employees from Ailsa Troon shipyard of redundancy and severance pay in spite of written commitments to the contrary when the employees concerned had stayed on at the company's request to wind up the business and in so doing saved Cathelco substantial funds in penalty payments for outstanding contracts; calls on Cathelco Group Ltd to honour its responsibilities to the Ailsa Troon employees with immediate effect, failing which the Government should not award any further contracts to the Company or its subsidiaries; and further calls for consideration to be given to instigating a DTI inquiry into the workings of Cathelco Ltd and its holding companies.

That this House condemns the actions of Cathelco Group Ltd in depriving 16 former employees from Ailsa Troon shipyard of redundancy and severance pay in spite of written commitments to the contrary when the employees concerned had stayed on at the company's request to wind up the business and in...

That this House notes the 3,900 redundancies announced by Corus, the Anglo-Dutch steel producer, in North Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Teeside, Scotland and South Wales since June; further recognises that these redundancies mean that Corus have now made more people redundant than Rover have in the West Midlands; calls upon the Government to give the same co-ordinated ministerial support at a national level as they have given to Rover, shipbuilding and the coal industries in times of distress; deplores the lack of consultation with the ISTC and the other unions representing employees in the steel industry; believes that loyal and hardworking steel workers and their communities are being sacrificed for short-term gains to Corus' balance sheet at a time when the strength of the pound has begun to decrease; is appalled at the drawn out nature and 'spinning' of the redundancy announcements; and calls upon the Government to introduce legislation to ensure that UK employees and their representatives are consulted prior to any major redundancy announcements, thus enjoying the same level of fairness as their EC counterparts.

That this House notes the 3,900 redundancies announced by Corus, the Anglo-Dutch steel producer, in North Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Teeside, Scotland and South Wales since June; further recognises that these redundancies mean that Corus have now made more people redundant than Rover have in the West Midlands; calls upon the Government...

That this House notes that a recent decision of an employment tribunal suggested that employee representatives should be consulted in collective redundancy situations only after the management has made a firm decision as to who should be made redundant; notes that this is contrary to Article 2 of the Collective Redundancies Directive which states 'Where an employer is contemplating collective redundancies, he shall begin consultation with the workers' representative in good time with a view to reaching agreement'; notes that the trade union MSF has complained to the European Commission about the implementation in the UK of the Collective Redundancies Directive; and therefore asks Her Majesty's Government to set up discussions between the relevant parties on how best to ensure that the full meaning and original intent of the Collective Redundancies Directive is implemented and upheld.

That this House notes that a recent decision of an employment tribunal suggested that employee representatives should be consulted in collective redundancy situations only after the management has made a firm decision as to who should be made redundant; notes that this is contrary to Article 2 of the Collective...

That this House expresses concern at the reaction of the regional electricity companies to the Distribution Price Review of the Electricity Regulator, who called for price cuts of around ??15 a year in electricity charges; believes that the actions taken by the electricity companies in response to the price cut proposals are bad for the industry and bad for consumers; notes that many companies have made large-scale redundancies, indicating a short-term strategy detrimental to consumers' long-term interests; deplores the fact that thousands of redundancies have been announced over the last three months, in an industry which has already lost half its workforce since privatisation, decimating a highly skilled workforce committed to maintaining high standards of service and safety; regrets that investment in the system may be cut, compromising the health and safety of employees and the general public; anticipates that sustained power cuts will be more likely in those parts of the United Kingdom which are particularly vulnerable to storm damage; recognises that the companies have acknowledged that their actions will result in the deterioration of the UK electricity network and the possible compromise of consumers' services; urges the Government to make a public commitment to safeguarding safety, service standards and jobs in the industry; and calls upon the electricity companies to cut their profits not jobs.

That this House expresses concern at the reaction of the regional electricity companies to the Distribution Price Review of the Electricity Regulator, who called for price cuts of around ??15 a year in electricity charges; believes that the actions taken by the electricity companies in response to the price cut...

That this House notes with grave concern the announcement from RJB Mining that they are to cease production at Ellington Colliery, the last deep coal mine in Northumberland; expresses further concern that the closure of Ellington Colliery will result in a loss of over 400 jobs in an area of south east Northumberland, where unemployment is already twice the national average; recognises that the workforce has consistently proved its ability to exceed production targets and produce a profit for RJB; believes that, given the opportunity, it could continue to produce coal for local markets for several years to come; calls upon RJB Mining to recognise the contribution Ellington Colliery has made to the considerable profits that they have enjoyed over recent years and urgently to reconsider their decision to cease production; recognises that one of the problems is the result of foreign coal being 'dumped' in the UK; and urges Her Majesty's Government to tackle this problem and also to provide any assistance it can to help to safeguard the jobs at Ellington Colliery.

That this House notes with grave concern the announcement from RJB Mining that they are to cease production at Ellington Colliery, the last deep coal mine in Northumberland; expresses further concern that the closure of Ellington Colliery will result in a loss of over 400 jobs in an area of...

That this House notes with concern the proposal by Remploy to make 35 able-bodied employees compulsorily redundant at its Leeds orthotics factory; and regrets that the company's admirable no-redundancy policy for its disabled employees is not being applied to its able-bodied staff in this case.

That this House notes with concern the proposal by Remploy to make 35 able-bodied employees compulsorily redundant at its Leeds orthotics factory; and regrets that the company's admirable no-redundancy policy for its disabled employees is not being applied to its able-bodied staff in this case.

That this House condemns the actions of De La Rue, and in particular Mr Mark Jeffries and Mr James Hussey, directors for the Bank Notes Division, in announcing that they intend to proceed with major redundancies at their Gateshead plant, in spite of an agreement reached in July this year with the trade unions, and assurances given to the honourable Member for Blaydon, to accept a maximum of 100 voluntary redundancies and to enter into discussions to improve efficiency and production of Gateshead with a view to maximising employment at the plant; notes that, despite the fact that the required voluntary redundancies have been taken and that proposals to improve efficiency and productivity have already been implemented, the company has begun to starve the plant of work and has now announced that it will save only 25 jobs out of the original 375 redundancy notices; also notes that these actions threaten the future of bank note printing within the UK and the security of supplies of bank notes to the UK's friends and allies overseas, as well as the technological developments at De La Rue's printing plants abroad; and calls upon the company to withdraw these notices forthwith and to comply with the previous agreement.

That this House condemns the actions of De La Rue, and in particular Mr Mark Jeffries and Mr James Hussey, directors for the Bank Notes Division, in announcing that they intend to proceed with major redundancies at their Gateshead plant, in spite of an agreement reached in July this year...

That this House recognises the achievement of the Lucas Aerospace workers in Burnley and management in converting from the manufacture of MLRS rocket cases to gas bottles for compressed natural gas as an alternative environmentally friendly fuel for road vehicles; regrets that Ford Motors in the USA have failed to give sufficient orders for this product resulting in Lucas Varity deciding to cease production of gas bottles and make 70 workers redundant in July; and hopes that Enterprise PLC, Burnley Borough Council, the Lucas Varity Group and unions working with the Government will enable a solution to be achieved resulting in increased orders for gas bottles, the cancellation of the redundancies and the use of more environmentally friendly fuels for road vehicles including compressed natural gas.

That this House recognises the achievement of the Lucas Aerospace workers in Burnley and management in converting from the manufacture of MLRS rocket cases to gas bottles for compressed natural gas as an alternative environmentally friendly fuel for road vehicles; regrets that Ford Motors in the USA have failed to...

That this House expresses its grave concern at the announcement of 1,300 job losses at the Ford Halewood plant; calls on the management of the Ford Motor Company to reconsider this decision; urges the company to move quickly to confirm the production of a new car at Halewood; and further urges the company to enter into early discussions with the Government, local authorities, trade unions and local honourable Members with a view to tackling any issues which may have led to this decision.

That this House expresses its grave concern at the announcement of 1,300 job losses at the Ford Halewood plant; calls on the management of the Ford Motor Company to reconsider this decision; urges the company to move quickly to confirm the production of a new car at Halewood; and further...

That this House condemns the decision by United Utilities, the giant company formed when North West Water acquired Norweb to close 51 Norweb shops in high streets throughout the North West, which along with other restructuring policies will result in 1,100 Norweb retail jobs being lost from a total of 2,780 and which will adversely affect customers, particularly the elderly and the poor.

That this House condemns the decision by United Utilities, the giant company formed when North West Water acquired Norweb to close 51 Norweb shops in high streets throughout the North West, which along with other restructuring policies will result in 1,100 Norweb retail jobs being lost from a total of...

That this House is dismayed at Eurotunnel's inappropriate decision to declare, from 1st January 1997, 657 redundancies, 307 of which will be in the United Kingdom; in addition notes that two dozen security staff on short term contracts are not to have their contracts renewed from the end of November 1996; understands that these security staff are highly trained and experienced operatives, many having previously been employed in security work in Northern Ireland; further notes that these workers were recruited on short term contracts but with the implied promise and expectation of permanent work at some later date; considers that although Eurotunnel has made claims to the contrary, it is clear that the security operatives are to be replaced by either non-specialist Eurotunnel staff or agency labour, believes it is indicative of the disregard by employers of employees that Eurotunnel's chosen employment agency, Staffsign, is already attempting to recruit Eurotunnel security staff at wages 33 per cent. less than are currently paid; deeply regrets that Eurotunnel is seeking to engage its staff in so-called consultation exclusively through the mechanism of its own company council thereby avoiding the legitimate right of these employees who are members of the Transport and General Workers Union to be consulted and represented through the mechanisms of that union; and calls upon Eurotunnel to rescind its current programme of job cuts, particularly in the interests of public safety and open a dialogue with the Transport and General Workers Union about developing an independent and representative industrial relations forum for the future.

That this House is dismayed at Eurotunnel's inappropriate decision to declare, from 1st January 1997, 657 redundancies, 307 of which will be in the United Kingdom; in addition notes that two dozen security staff on short term contracts are not to have their contracts renewed from the end of November...

That this House recognises the real contribution to informedreporting of the House's proceedings provided by BBC Radio in 'Yesterday in Parliament' and 'Today' and the television programme 'The Record'; and is deeply concerned about the proposals to make six out of the 16 journalists who presently contribute to these programmes redundant, resulting inevitably in a serious reduction in both quantity and quality of radio and television reporting of Parliament.

That this House recognises the real contribution to informedreporting of the House's proceedings provided by BBC Radio in 'Yesterday in Parliament' and 'Today' and the television programme 'The Record'; and is deeply concerned about the proposals to make six out of the 16 journalists who presently contribute to these programmes...

That this House condemns the precipitate decision of Coates Viyella to close their St Helens factory with the loss of 386 jobs without any consultation with the workforce or their representatives; notes with anger and dismay that the St Helens factory's production of shirts for Marks and Spencer will be transferred to Coates Viyella low wage factories in Mauritius and Morocco; further notes that this factory, where wages are between ??150-??160 per week has such a long history of good industrial relations that in 1995 the workforce won for the company an Investing in People award; and therefore calls upon Coates Viyella to honour the assurance they gave to the workforce, St Helens Council and the honourable Members for St Helens North and St Helens South, when they took over Tootals, that the factory and its workforce had a long term future.

That this House condemns the precipitate decision of Coates Viyella to close their St Helens factory with the loss of 386 jobs without any consultation with the workforce or their representatives; notes with anger and dismay that the St Helens factory's production of shirts for Marks and Spencer will be...

That this House condemns the rapacious pricing policy of Marks and Spencer's which, according to Coates Viyella, is forcing them to close their St. Helens shirt factory with the loss of 386 jobs, and where wages are only ??150-??160 per week, and transfer the factory's production to low wage factories in Mauritius and Morocco; and therefore calls upon Marks and Spencers to review this situation and continue to accept shirts from St. Helens, thereby maintaining British jobs.

That this House condemns the rapacious pricing policy of Marks and Spencer's which, according to Coates Viyella, is forcing them to close their St. Helens shirt factory with the loss of 386 jobs, and where wages are only ??150-??160 per week, and transfer the factory's production to low wage factories...

That this House notes that the proposed closure of Coates Viyella's St. Helens shirt factory and the transfer of its production to Mauritius and Morocco will result in 386 people being thrown onto the dole in an area which is already an unemployment blackspot; further notes that these employees, many of whom are single parents, and, on wages of ??150 to ??160 per week not highly paid, will now have to live on social seurity benefits instead of being gainfully employed; and therefore calls upon Her Majesty's Government to take immediate action against the transfer of British jobs to foreign low wage producers where social security benefits and health and safety at work standards are virtually non-existent.

That this House notes that the proposed closure of Coates Viyella's St. Helens shirt factory and the transfer of its production to Mauritius and Morocco will result in 386 people being thrown onto the dole in an area which is already an unemployment blackspot; further notes that these employees, many...

That this House notes with grave concern that the Construction Industry Training Board has recently announced, without consultation with employees or local honourable Members, a restructuring of its operations and a relocation of its headquarters with total redundancies of 379 people at a cost of ??12.6 million; further notes that the relocation of its headquarters from West Norfolk to an, as yet to be acquired, new office block in Peterborough, will result in the loss of 291 jobs in a rural community; expresses disbelief that the board voted 9 to 6 to relocate to Peterborough without even considering the far cheaper option of retaining its headquarters in existing buildings; and urges the incoming Chairman, Mr Hugh Try, to recommend that these proposals are reversed.

That this House notes with grave concern that the Construction Industry Training Board has recently announced, without consultation with employees or local honourable Members, a restructuring of its operations and a relocation of its headquarters with total redundancies of 379 people at a cost of ??12.6 million; further notes that...

That this House deplores the threatened mass redundancies at the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology which will seriously jeopardise further education possibilities in South Yorkshire; and urges the Department for Education and Employment to institute an immediate inquiry into the corporate management of the college in addition to requesting the Further Education Funding Council to lift the financial pressure on the college brought about by incompetent management which refused to consult with or pay heed to the concerns expressed by the staff about financial and other management decisions taken in recent years.

That this House deplores the threatened mass redundancies at the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology which will seriously jeopardise further education possibilities in South Yorkshire; and urges the Department for Education and Employment to institute an immediate inquiry into the corporate management of the college in addition to requesting...

That this House is dismayed at the decision of Scottish Courage nationally to axe 1,600 jobs, reduce their breweries from nine to seven, and their distribution depots from 41 to 28; is further concerned at the closure of Home Brewery, Nottinghamshire, the last remaining brewery in Greater Nottingham with the loss of over 200 jobs; expresses sympathy for the loyal staff who along with their local trade union officials, Gedling Borough Council and Nottingham City Council put forward constructive proposals to prevent closure; regrets the decision of the Minister for Competition Policy not to refer the merger of Scottish Newcastle and Courage to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission despite the original decision of the Office of Fair Trading to do so; and calls on the Minister now to use his influence to request Scottish Courage to reconsider their decisons on all the closures

That this House is dismayed at the decision of Scottish Courage nationally to axe 1,600 jobs, reduce their breweries from nine to seven, and their distribution depots from 41 to 28; is further concerned at the closure of Home Brewery, Nottinghamshire, the last remaining brewery in Greater Nottingham with the...