§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allow the introduction of wage flexibility to Scottish naval dockyards to allow them to compete on the open labour market against 575W other industries paying higher wages for skilled men.
§ Mr. SpeedThe work force at Rosyth dockyard, as part of the industrial Civil Service, has its pay negotiated centrally. Central negotiation continues to be the preference of the trade unions and the present increases in basic pay, which are being phased over three stages, follow a study made by the Pay Research Unit to achieve rates comparable with those in industries across the country as a whole. In addition, individual workers at Rosyth dockyard can earn bonuses for improved output and a further bonus is payable to all dockyard workers which reflects the productivity of the yard as a whole.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes in senior management at Scottish naval dockyards have taken place over the last five years; what are the reasons for fluctuations which have occurred; and, in those cases where turnover has been excessive, what action he proposes to take to restore stability.
§ Mr. SpeedAt Rosyth dockyard there are five senior management posts and since January 1975 there have been 10 changes. Three of the changes were at general manager level, and the remaining seven amongst the four posts at manager level. Virtually all changes in appointments are accounted for by retirements and the need to broaden the experience of senior management over the whole range of dockyard tasks.
Appointments are made to senior posts in any of the Royal dockyards only after considering the top level management structure as a whole in all dockyards and in the chief executive's headquarters organisation.
The turnover of senior management was abnormally high in 1979 but, taken over all, the number of changes in the five-year period is not excessive.
The dockyard study team of which I am chairman is considering the turnover of senior management to ensure that the right blend of experience and continuity is available to each dockyard.