§ 14. Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what changes will result from the completion of various defence building projects relating to scientific research and development, with particular reference to the manpower involved and conditions of employment.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe reduction in the capital building programme of the Atomic Energy Authority, which is largely due to completion of civil projects, has been accelerated to some extent by further decline in building work for defence purposes. Most of the consequential reduction in staff in the Authority's engineering group is being dealt with by not replacing wastage and by redeployment, but there may be some redundancy. My noble Friend is responsible for no other defence projects.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWill my hon. Friend give an assurance that as much warning as possible will be given to the men concerned? Is it a fact that they are already being warned of their discharge, before an actual decision or date has been arrived at?
§ Mr. FreethRegarding the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, we are doing our best to give as much warning as possible. Where it appears likely that there will be redundancy within any given category, we try to warn the men who may be concerned so that, if they wish to, they can start looking for another job and have the maximum amount of time in which to do so.