HC Deb 09 March 1966 vol 725 cc529-30W
Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, how many employees of the former Royal Navy dockyard at Sheerness transferred on its closure in 1960 to Her Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham; and how many employees now at Chatham live on the Isle of Sheppey and in other parts of the Faversham constituency.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The figures are, 1,050, and about 600, respectively.

Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what shortages of skilled staff there are at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham; and what are the types of posts for which there is difficulty in getting labour.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

We need 80 electrical, engineering and ship fitters, six shipwrights, five boilermakers, four sail-makers and two blacksmiths.

Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men and women were employed at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Chatham, in each of the past six years.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The industrial numbers borne on 1st April each year are as follows:

Men Women
1961 8,459 373
1962 8,261 434
1963 8,249 425
1964 7,893 411
1965 7,490 443
1966 (1st February) 7,137 477