asked the Minister of Labour when he intends to introduce legislation providing for a redundancy pay scheme.

Consultations with industry are proceeding urgently and legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that he inherited a great deal of work on this subject? Can he tell the House whether he intends to jettison that work, or will he bring forward some of the proposals which were near to fruition? In particular, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to start first on a severance pay scheme or to start on a wage-related benefits scheme?

The Question asks the Minister of Labour when he intends to introduce legislation providing for a redundancy pay scheme". I am now in active consultation with both sides of industry on this matter. We shall introduce legislation on redundancy as soon as possible.