§ 35 and 36. Mr. Boydenasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1) on what date the transfer of the Admiralty works service staff to the Ministry of Public Building and Works took place;
(2) what consultations took place with the Staff Side, and when, with regard to the transfer of the Admiralty works service to the Ministry of Public Building and Works.
§ Mr. HayThe date of transfer was 1st April, 1963. A special Sub-Committee of the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council met twice in February, 1963, to discuss problems thrown up by the transfer. The question was also reviewed at a full meeting of the A.A.W.C on 26th March. In addition there was consultation at local level regarding allocation of staff between the Ministry and certain tasks which were to remain with the Admiralty.
§ Mr. BoydenIt is most extraordinary. It takes the Admiralty about three months to decide how to buy books for students, and it takes less than two months to make arrangements for the transfer of millions of pounds' worth of building organisation, when the Admiralty have a very long tradition of building. How does it come about that adequate preparation was made to make this transfer at such short notice?
§ Mr. HayI think the usual efficiency of the Service Departments. All this happened before my time, but as far as I know the trade union side has expressed itself reasonably satisfied and happy with the arrangements which have been made. 453 If it has any views to the contrary, I should be only too willing to look into them.
§ Mr. BoydenWould not it be more correct to say that a political decision was taken to make the transfer, and that no preparatory work worth talking about was done at all?