HC Deb 27 February 1956 vol 549 cc809-10
6. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Minister of Supply the number of industrial and non-industrial staff employed at the Royal Arsenal Estate, Woolwich; and the comparable figures when the functions of the Royal Arsenal Estate were undertaken by the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich.

Mr. Erroll

A straight comparison is not possible, because the reorganisation at Woolwich has considerably changed the distribution and volume of work. I will send the hon. Member some figures, which I hope may be of use to him.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Minister aware that it is not at all clear why a straight comparison is not possible? Essentially, the services are the same as they were then. Is he aware of a widespread feeling, which is shared by the combined shop stewards of the Arsenal, that there is a great deal of "empire building" going on in the Royal Arsenal Estate?

Mr. Erroll

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no "empire building" going on. In fact, the proposed new arrangements will reduce the size of the organisation rather than increase it, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will study the figures which I shall be sending to him.

7. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Minister Supply for what reason it is proposed to transfer the management of the central power station and steam generating services from the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich, to the Roy al Arsenal Estate.

Mr. Erroll

The Royal Arsenal Estate was created in 1954 in order to relieve the Chief Superintendent of the Royal Ordnance factories at Woolwich of the responsibility for estate management of the whole Arsenal site. A great many functions, including, for example, the gas factory, were immediately transferred, but the transfer of responsibility for the central power station and steam generating services has only now become practicable.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Minister aware that he has not given reasons why these services are to be handed over? Is he further aware that there are a number of good reasons for maintaining these services, which are primarily used by the R.O.F., under the R.O.F.?

Mr. Erroll

On the contrary, these services are used by many different organisations on the Woolwich site, and it is thought that they can be more efficiently managed if they are transferred to the Royal Arsenal Estate, which has the responsibility of managing the common services for the benefit of users and occupants of the site as a whole.