HC Deb 17 February 1960 vol 617 c124W
Mr. Willis

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what savings in manpower and money have been effected by the work study teams now operating throughout naval establishments.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The savings in expenditure that have so far resulted from the activities of work study teams in the Fleet and Fleet shore establishments have been worth about £76,000 a year. Manpower savings are not directly reflected in Vote A—which has been coming down for other reasons—but have made it possible to move men from tasks which can be cut out or simplified to work of high priority, and for material to be more effectively used. The numbers thus redeployed as a result of work study have been 5 officers, 250 ratings and 64 civilians. In addition, many thousands of hours of men's time have been released for other useful work. Many studies have also led to improvements of an important though uncostable nature, such as increased operational availability, increased morale, improved designs of buildings and equipment and reduced maintenance efforts.

Work study teams also operate in some Admiralty civil establishments. Savings—broadly commensurate with those in Fleet establishments—have been and are being achieved through the efforts of these teams, but collective details of the savings in terms of manpower and money are not available.