§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how he intends to achieve his manpower target of 4,500, inclusive of 665 apprentices, in Chatham Dockyard by 31st March 1976, in view of the fact that the labour force in October 1975 was 4,537;
(2) if he will make clear that his manpower target for Chatham Dockyard of 4,500 by 31st March 1976 makes no provision for an increase in the number of apprentices.
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§ Mr. JuddWe expect to achieve the target of 4,500 through a balance of normal wastage and appropriate selective recruitment. As I said in my answer to the hon. Member on 5th November—[Vol. 899,c. 182–3.]—the normal annual intake of apprentices will be preserved.