§ 11 Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has received the report of the inquiry last summer into the reasons why newly-qualified craftsmen are leaving the naval dockyards; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. HayYes, Sir. The evidence provided by this report is being considered as part of the general review within the Department.
§ Mr. AllaunWhy has the report not been published? Is it because it reveals a serious waste of public money? Is it the Minister's intention to publish the report?
§ Mr. HayNo, Sir. The report was commissioned for internal consumption. It is a piece of domestic introspection and, frankly, it is not suitable for publication. I can certainly rebut the hon. Member's allegation that a great deal of waste of public money is involved in this matter.
§ Dr. A. ThompsonIs it not a fact that for some considerable time there has been concern at the wastage of craftsmen trained by the Admiralty's very admirable training system and high quality of instruction who leave to go into private industry? The Admiralty seems to be subsidising general technical education for the country. Would not one solution be to improve pay and conditions so as to make it worth while for craftsmen to stay in the employment of the Admiralty?
§ Mr. HayAs I said, we are reviewing all these matters. The wastage rate is not particularly highߞI have no reason to believe that the rate is any higher than that in private industry—and although it poses some problems, this is not a problem that we think so dangerous or difficult that it cannot be solved.
§ Mr. WillisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that we are quite pleased to have men receive this very high level of training? What is wrong is that it is charged against the Defence Vote.