HC Deb 28 July 1981 vol 9 c405W
30. Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department will provide special services to assist those persons with engineering skills who will lose their jobs during the run-down of Chatham dockyard.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Consultations are taking place with the dockyard management and other bodies concerned to assess the extent of the problem and consider how best to help all those affected by the run-down of the work force at Chatham dockyard, pending its closure in 1984. The Manpower Services Commission will ensure that its employment services are readily available to all those made redundant. Staff from the training services division will also be available to discuss training courses and the allowances payable. We shall, of course, do all we can to help craftsmen wishing to acquire additional trade skills or to refresh or up-date their existing skills.