§ Mr. Michael Bates (Langbaurgh)I am grateful for this opportunity to present a petition in the name of six of my constituents. It concerns the proposed relocation of 180 jobs from the Royal Naval stores depot, Eaglescliffe to the Bath area. The petition was handed to me by Mrs. Eileen Sharp of Park End, Middlesbrough and is signed by Miss Bruce of Ormesby, Mr. Weighell of Marske, Mr. Wheatley of Marton and Miss Sykes of Eston.
While understanding that the idea of losing jobs to another part of the country is never particularly welcome and recognising the ever-increasing need to improve efficiency in Government Departments, which can be achieved by economies of scale and centralising Departments, my petitioners would have me suggest that the relocation should not move the jobs to Bath, but that the Bath jobs should be relocated to the Eaglescliffe area. That would provide significant cost savings. The petition states:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The Humble Petition of the members of the workforce of the Royal Naval Stores Depot at Eaglescliffe.Sheweth that a proposal has been endorsed to create a centralised Naval Support Command in the Bath area which necessitates the loss of 180 jobs from the Royal Naval Stores Depot at Eaglescliffe near Stockton-on-Tees.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House urge the Secretary of State for Defence to abandon the proposal to transfer the 180 jobs from Eaglescliffe.And your Petitioners as in duty hound will ever pray &c.
§ To lie upon the Table.