HC Deb 04 May 1949 vol 464 cc59-60W
Mr. Sharp

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many civilians were employed as industrial staff at home Royal Army Ordnance Corps establishments on 1st January, 1949; how many of these were on temporary engagements; and what were the corresponding figures on 1st July, 1947.

(2) what was the increase between 1st July, 1947, and 1st January, 1949, in the number of established industrial staff at home Royal Army Ordnance Corps establishments; to what approximate extent it is proposed to increase their number and reduce that of temporary staff during 1949; and whether a substantial proportion of appointments to establishment are likely to be made from those now on temporary engagements.

Mr. Shinwell

Thirty-one thousand, four hundred and forty-five civilians were employed as industrial staff at home R.A.O.C. establishments on 1st January, 1949; in addition, 3,558 European volunteer workers were employed; on 1st July, 1947, 29,760 civilians were employed. There were no established industrial employees in any War Department establishment on 1st July, 1947. On 16th January, 1948, a scheme was agreed on the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments which for the first time gave a measure of establishment to Government industrial employees. This agreed scheme provided among other things for the establishment of up to 16,000 War Department industrial employees. It was subsequently agreed with the trade unions represented on the War Department Industrial Council that the first 16,000 employees would be selected for establishment on the basis of length of Government service irrespective of their grade, trade or the unit at which they were serving. In consequence no specific allocation of established posts has been made to R.A.O.C. establishments, but some 6,000 industrials employed therein have already been nominated for establishment, which will reckon from 16th January, 1948. As length of service is the agreed basis of selection, appointments to established posts are made exclusively from serving industrial employees.