§ Mr. McCartneyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an estimate of the numbers of Service personnel employed in shore-based military establishments within the United Kingdom on work the same or similar to that performed by civilian employees in the United Kingdom military establishments.
§ Dr. GilbertIt is Ministry of Defence policy to employ civilians in support of the Armed Services where this is economical and compatible with essential Service requirements. The numbers of uniformed personnel at shore-based establishments and elsewhere in United Kingdom Service establishments are determined primarily by the overall number 195W of Service men required to meet our operational commitments.
Other than in operational areas, there is no definitive criterion that lays down when Service or civilian personnel should be employed. In general, however, Service men need to exercise their skills to gain experience in particular trades. So far as the Royal Navy is concerned, we have moreover to provide sufficient employment ashore for officers and ratings after they have completed their periods of seas service.
Since almost every static Service establishment in the United Kingdom has civilians working alongside forces personnel I regret that it is not feasible to provide the detailed information requested by my hon. Friend.