HC Deb 30 July 1974 vol 878 cc113-4W
Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the civil contract assistance amounting to an annual average of about £250,000 since 1970, is not, and cannot be produced at Chatham or any other Royal naval dockyard.

Mr. Frank Judd

The present policy is that work is put out to contract only

Irish Guards 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Queens Royal Irish Hussars Royal Irish Rangers
Up to 26 weeks … … 4.3 2.1 3.1 3.1
27–52 weeks … … 0.7 1.0 0.7 1.1
53–104 weeks … … 3.7 2.3 2.4 3.1
These percentage rates are based on the average strengths of the units concerned.

when it is beyond the capacity of the dockyards or specialist assistance is needed.

Mr. Wiggin

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in the light of the figures of the Soviet overseas maritime deployment given by the Secretary of State on 2nd July 1974, if he will take steps to ensure that the Royal dockyards will be capable of sustaining an increased work load in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Judd

In an emergency, the present labour force could increase output for a short period by working longer hours. Sustained greater output would require the recruitment of additional labour.