§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average length of service of (a) skilled and (b) semi-skilled industrial staff employed at the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) Workshops at Woolwich Arsenal.
§ Dr. GilbertThe average is 22 years for skilled and 15 years for semi-skilled industrial staff.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence, what is (a) the estimated capital cost, and (b) the current estimated value of the machinery and equipment at the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) Workshops at Woolwich Arsenal.
§ Dr. GilbertThe original cost was about £250,000 and the estimated current value is £100,000.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what work is currently being undertaken at the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) workshops at Woolwich Arsenal; and what estimates have been made of the extra costs involved in placing the work with private firms in the event of the workshops being closed.
§ Dr. GilbertThe prime task is to make gauges, instruments and tools for quality assurance. Some engineering work is done for other establishments. The load is running down with the progressive transfer of quality assurance to contractors. No regular or substantial purchases from private firms are expected to be necessary.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs would be lost in the event of a closure of the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) workshops at Woolwich Arsenal; how many of these are likely to be covered 736W by natural wastage and how many by redundancy.
§ Dr. GilbertAbout 130 jobs would be lost. Wastage would be spread over the next 14 months and it is too soon to estimate the extent of redundancy, but it may be of the order of one third of the total, and comprise mainly industrial staff.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many apprenticeship opportunities would be lost by a closure of the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) workshops at Woolwich Arsenal; and in what trades.
§ Dr. GilbertThe workshops have taken in between 15 and 18 apprentices each year to be motor transport fitters and tool and gauge makers.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with the relevant trade unions at national level about the future of the Quality Assurance Directorate (Weapons) workshops at Woolwich Arsenal; and with what result.
§ Dr. GilbertReduction of staff throughout the Procurement Executive of the Ministry of Defence was discussed with the trades unions in July 1976. A consultative document on the quality assurance directorates was sent to the secretary of the Trades Union Side in August. No reply has yet been received.