HC Deb 04 May 1976 vol 910 cc302-3W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the approved establishment of skilled manual workers employed by the Quality Assurance Directorates at Woolwich Arsenal at 31st March 1976; and how many of these posts remained unfilled at that date.

Mr. William Rodgers

There is no approved establishment for industrial staff at Woolwich Arsenal. The numbers employed vary with the estimated work load. On 31st March 1976 there were 227 skilled manual workers in the Quality Assurance Directorates and four temporary vacancies.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many skilled manual workers were employed at the various establishments at Woolwich Arsenal West at the end of each of the last seven financial years for which figures are available.

Mr. William Rodgers

The following table shows the establishments in Woolwich Arsenal West employing skilled manual workers (craft industrials) and the number:

31st March 1970 31st March 1971 31st March 1972 31st March 1973 31st March 1974 31st March 1975 31st March 1976
Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) 191 204 185 165 142 130 133
Quality Assurance Directorate (Fighting Vehicles and Engineering Equipment) 96 96 92 84 75 90 94
Royal Air Force Electrical Workshop * 49 49 49 49 49 49
Directorate of Naval Ordnance Services (South) 22 20 23 24 17 12 11
*Figures not available.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many apprentices were recruited by the various establishments at Woolwich Arsenal during each of the last seven years for which figures are available: and how many are

31st March 1969 31st March 1970 31st March 1971 31st March 1972 31st March 1973 31st March 1974 31st March 1975
Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) 13C 13C 13C 10C 5C 12C 14C
1S 1S 1S 2S
Quality Assurance Directorate (Fighting Vehicles and Engineering Equipment) 4C 4C 4C 2C 2C 3C 4C
Royal Air Force Electrical Workshop 7C 8C 7C 7C 8C 8C
Notes:
C = Craftsman, S = Student.
Student Apprentices differ from Craft Apprentices in having specified qualifications at "O" Level.