§ 20. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will establish an inquiry into the working of the Dockyard Incentive Bonus Scheme, with special reference to bench marks, as operated in the Royal Naval Dockyards.
§ Dr. David OwenThe long-term future of the dockyard incentive bonus scheme is already under detailed investigation. It will undoubtedly be discussed in the later stages of the productivity agreement negotiations.
§ Mr. JuddWould my hon. Friend not agree, however, that there is widespread indignation among men in the dockyards, not only in Portsmouth, with this scheme, particularly because of what is seen as inflexible and unreal times in which work is expected to be completed? Would he not agree that if there is to be a successful outcome to the productivity negotiations to which he has referred, there needs to be a real and objective inquiry into why this scheme is seen by so many men to be so unsatisfactory?
§ Dr. OwenI am not sure that it is widely considered to be unsatisfactory, but I am not entirely satisfied and I would be only too happy to consider viable alternatives.