HC Deb 25 October 1967 vol 751 cc481-2W
55. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of new naval construction during the next five years will be undertaken by naval dockyards, and what proportion by civil dockyards.

Mr. Mason

I cannot make such a forecast. The amount of naval new construction awarded to the naval dockyards depends upon a variety of factors, including their repair and refitting load and the availability of suitable labour at the time.

56. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to ensure that more outside work, particularly on behalf of nationalised industries, will be undertaken at naval dockyards.

Mr. Reynolds

The dockyards already accept outside work when they have the capacity and facilities to do so.

I am afraid that we could not justify the heavy capital expenditure needed for any significant increase in the amount of outside work already in hand.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the official establishment strength of draughtsmen and T.G.3 personnel at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth; how many vacancies in these categories are at present unfilled; and what is the number of temporary unqualified personnel at present filling such posts.

Mr. Foley

The establishment strength of draughtsmen and T.G.IIIs is 201 and 336 respectively: of these posts, two for draughtsmen and eight for T.G.IIIs are vacant but are in process of being filled. The present numbers of temporary unqualified staff filling draughtsman and T.G.III posts are 34 and 149 respectively.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates to be the difference in income for all categories of Her Majesty's Dockyard personnel covered by the new wages structure if such incomes were based on take-home pay rather than on basic pay in outside industry.

Mr. Foley

The new wage rates in Her Majesty's Dockyards were not based on basic pay in outside industry but on the earnings for a 40 hour week as recommended in the National Board for Prices and Incomes Report No. 18.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he is undertaking of possible methods for improved workers participation in management of Her Majesty's Dockyards.

Mr. Foley

Workers already participate in the management of Her Majesty's Dockyards through the medium of Trades Councils, Whitley Committees and Joint Production Committees. We try to make the work of these bodies as constructive as possible.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to implement the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes concerning the present gap between the status of industrial and non-industrial workers in Her Majesty's Dockyards.

Mr. Foley

This was a long term recommendation applicable to the whole of the Civil Service and not merely to Her Majesty's Dockyards. It involves fundamental issues and early progress is not to be expected.