HC Deb 10 March 1970 vol 797 cc1091-2
1. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the number and value of contracts so far put out to private firms by his Department in the Portsmouth area during the current financial year; what has been the effect of this private contracting on incentive bonus earnings by men employed by his Department in Portsmouth Naval Dockyard; and whether he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. Charles Loughlin)

Excluding small individual jobs up to £100 in value; 202 contracts have been placed to a total value of over £3.5 million in the Portsmouth area. The bonus incentive earnings of our own labour force in the dockyard cannot be related to this figure.

Mr. Judd

I thank my hon. Friend for tint reply. Is he aware that there is deep consternation among the men in his labour force in the Portsmouth area about this trend of Departmental policy? Can he assure them that it is impossible to direct to them more of the work going to private contract as they regard themselves as well equipped to do it?

Mr. Loughlin

The £3.5 million to which I have referred includes Part I work, which the direct labour force does not do. The direct labour force work is in the region of £3.3 million. We are concerned to ensure wherever we are competitive with contractors that our direct labour force will do the job.

2. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the estimated total number of apprentices in the building industry during each of the past five years; what has been the total number of apprentices employed by his Department in Portsmouth Dockyard during the same years; and what are now the long-term employment prospects for these dockyard apprentices.

Mr. Loughlin

Beginning in 1965 totals have been: 27,194, 24,942, 23,722, 25,132 and 21,553. The corresponding figures for Portsmouth Dockyard are: 135, 140, 118, 126 and 106. For those who choose to remain with the Ministry the prospects of long-term employment are good.

Mr. Judd

Again I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he share my concern at this downward trend over the years? Does he expect to see the trend being put into reverse? If so, how?

Mr. Loughlin

If my hon. Friend will look at the figures and bear in mind that there is a change from a five-year indenture period to a four-year indenture period, he will see that the percentage is very much the same. So far as concerns our labour force, we want sufficient apprentices, but sufficient and no more.