HC Deb 27 April 1981 vol 3 cc322-3W
Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether disciplinary action, apart from loss of pay, will be taken against those who took strike action whilst engaged in repair work on the Polaris submarines; and whether their promotion will be affected.

Mr. Speed

All staff who take part in strike action lose pay for the time they are absent from duty. In addition, where the absence is of a full day or longer, they forfeit the equivalent period in terms of qualifying for superannuation, increments of pay, and higher leave allowances. Such periods of absence are similarly not counted towards completion of probation or trial service. Other than these penalties, disciplinary action is not generally taken. In considering staff for promotion, the whole spectrum of their performance over a longer period is taken into account.

Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect on the overall United Kingdom strategic position will be produced by the refusal of staff of his Department to undertake necessary maintenance to Polaris submarines.

Mr. Speed

I have nothing to add to the clear statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on this matter on 9 April.—[Vol. 2, c. 1112.]

Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants were employed on Polaris submarine repairs prior to the Civil Service dispute; what proportion had signed the Official Secrets Act; what proportion had been positively vetted; what proportion of those were civilian personnel and military personnel, respectively; and, in each case, if he will give the number who took strike action.

Mr. Speed

The numbers engaged in, or directly supporting, Polaris submarine repair and refit work at Rosyth prior to the Civil Service dispute were some 720 non-industrial and 1,640 industrial staff. All of them had signed the Official Secrets Act. It is not our practice to give information about personnel holding positive vetting clearance.

By definition, none of these Civil Servants are military personnel. Industrial staff are not involved in the current dispute. Of the non-industrial staff, approximately 95 per cent. took strike action on 9 March, and 16 radiography staff have remained on strike. About 80 per cent. of the non-industrial work force have subsequently been on strike on three occasions, for periods of less than a day.