§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the latest developments at the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment, Portsmouth, concerning the regrading of laboratory mechanics as industrial technicians.
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§ Mr. KirkThe examination of proposals for the use of the grade of industrial technician referred to in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 21st January has now taken place. Two industrial technicians posts were approved for the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment, and this finding was notified to the trade union sides, nationally and locally, on 16th March. It is open to the trade unions concerned to make representations about this decision, and, provided these are made by 16th April, 1971, resultant changes will operate from the same date as the regradings already notified, i.e., 1st July, 1970.
A "work to rule" operated by laboratory mechanics at the A.S.W.E. in support of a claim for 100 per cent. regrading to industrial technician is still in force.—[Vol. 809, c. 327–8.]