§ 85. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many workers have been dismissed at the Hong Kong naval dockyards since the end of last November; on what principle these dismissals are made; and to what extent previous negotiation is held with the appropriate trade union.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithOne hundred and eleven workmen have been issued with discharge notices on the grounds of redundancy since 28th November, 1957. A further 25 have been invalided or retired and three men have been dismissed for misconduct. In addition 378 have been allowed to resign voluntarily to take up other employment. The total rundown so far has therefore been 517 men.
The underlying principle determining the order of discharges is similar to that adopted by the Admiralty in the United Kingdom, that is, after those who are not efficient at their job, then "last in, first out"; but subject, in the special circumstances of Hong Kong to a readiness to adjust the order of discharge, when the needs of the work permit, so as to suit the convenience of individuals in obtaining fresh employment.
156WThe local trade unions in the dockyard are not formally recognised—and have not sought to be—and the question of prior consultation with them on the order of discharges does not therefore arise.