§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the reviews that have been instructed or are in progress on the privatisation or the contracting-out of work currently done in the royal dockyards, and what proportions of the work force at Rosyth and Plymouth are covered within the remits of his reviews.
§ Mr. LeeNo privatisation of dockyard work is being considered. We are, however, currently considering future arrangements for the management of the royal dockyards. No decisions on this have yet been taken. As has been announced, we are arranging for a frigate and a submarine to be refitted by contract. In addition, as part of normal departmental business, management continues to examine ways of maximising efficiency. It is too early to say what will emerge from these considerations, or whether there will be any proposals involving contractorisation. It is not clear, therefore, what proportion of the dockyard work forces might be affected. Any proposals involving contractorisation measures would, of course, be the subject of consultation with the trade unions in the normal way.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the review on contracting-out of transport and supply work in the dockyards is to be completed; and how many jobs are covered by the remit of the review.
§ Mr. LeeThere is no specific review of contracting-out transport and supply work in the dockyards, but the launching of a number of detailed studies within the RN supply and transport service (RNSTS) is currently under consideration. We expect to be able to inform the trade unions of the scope of these soon. The studies will be on a functional rather than geographical basis, and it is not therefore possible to say at this stage what the 129W consequences might be for RNSTS activities and therefore jobs at particular places. The trade unions will, of course, be consulted on any proposals that emerge.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of maintenance services in the royal dockyards will be completed; and what are the numbers of jobs at the dockyards covered within the remit of the reviews.
§ Mr. LeeThe work of the yard services departments in the dockyards, which includes maintenance of dockyard plant and machinery, is covered by the general examination of efficiency that I have described today in a separate answer. The examination is being conducted in the normal course of departmental business, and covers the full extent of dockyard activity.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of contracting-out and privatisation now being carried out by the director of Marine Services is to be completed; and what are the numbers of jobs covered within the remit of the review.
§ Mr. LeeA wide-ranging review of the functions and objectives of the Marine Services Organisation, which employs 3,300 civilian personnel is being carried out with particular reference to efficient and economical use of resources. This review will include, among other matters, the possibility of certain tasks being carried out by contract. The review is expected to be completed in the near future. The trade unions will, of course, be consulted on any proposals that emerge.