§ 17. Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundancies amongst military and civilian staff are now expected to result either directly or indirectly from the Government's successive reviews of defence spending.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for City of Chester (Mr. Morrison) on 9th March.
§ Mr. CartwrightWill my right hon. Friend give an assurance that those civilian employees facing redundancies will be given every opportunity of alternative Government employment, particularly in areas such as mine that are already suffering from industrial decline?
§ Mr. RodgersI certainly give that assurance. My hon. Friend is right to draw our attention to the special problems of the Woolwich area, where there has been a traditional link with the Services. I appreciate the amount of disruption, anxiety and uncertainty that exists. We shall do all we can for those who have served the Services very loyally over many years.
§ Mr. OnslowWill the Minister explain how it is that since he is unable to tell us, within 5,000 either way, how many Ministry of Defence civilian employees will be made redundant, he can possibly be precise about the savings made by cutting them?
§ Mr. RodgersIf the hon. Member will refresh his memory and read the report of what I said on 9th March he will see that I gave very clear indications of the size of redundancies over the period to 1979–80. It is quite unreasonable to have more specific information, particularly when consultations must be carried on with the trade unions and we are anxious to make the best possible arrangements.