HC Deb 15 October 1969 vol 788 c385
16. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a statement on the appointment of the chief executive for the naval dock-yards.

Mr. John Morris

Mr. Leslie Norfolk took up the post of chief executive of the Royal Dockyards on 2nd September. He will be responsible to the Admiralty Board for the overall management of the dockyards at Chatham, Devonport, Portsmouth, Rosyth and Gibraltar. This appointment was foreshadowed in paragraph 43(a) of Chapter VIII of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1969.

Mr. Judd

What will the effect be on local management, and, in particular, will opportunity be taken to examine the growing anxiety among skilled and unskilled workers that administrative overheads in the yards are too high?

Mr. Morris

These are matters for Mr. Norfolk to investigate. He has started on his appointment, and, as my hon. Friend knows, he will be responsible for the management of the dockyards and the general managers will be subordinate to him. I had the opportunity of visiting Portsmouth in his company, and I was glad to see the courtesy and, indeed, cordiality with which he was welcomed by both management and men.