§ Mr. Buckasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of the Royal ordnance factories.
§ Mr. NottThe Government have now completed their initial consideration of the report of the study group on the future development of the Royal ordnance factories referred to in my answer to my hon. and learned Friend on 12 June 1931.—[Vol. 6, c. 218–19.]
The Government agree with the study group that change should be introduced to allow the Royal ordnance factories, building on their proven and successful production capabilities, to operate in a manner more akin in scope to other firms in the defence industry. Such changes should be aimed at removing the problems caused by the ROF organisation not having its own sales arm, and being unable to negotiate the terms and conditions of service of its employees and not having its own design and development capability. This is the only means of developing the ROFs further to provide greater sales and job opportunities, to the benefit of defence.
The Government accordingly favour early changes in the constitution of the ROFs and, among the possible ways of achieving this, will be examining their vesting and flotion as one or more Companies Act companies and the creation of one or more joint companies with industry. We would transfer to such companies as much as possible of the relevant design and development capabilities and
County Areas 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 Clwyd 93.5 103.7 121.3 150.2 175.7 Dyfed 84.4 88.8 102.8 130.2 143.3 Gwent 99.1 106.3 119.4 144.5 161.1 Gwynedd 87.2 96.4 117.3 135.5 157.5 Mid Glamorgan 99.2 103.9 121.0 149.7 177.0 Powys 72.2 77.5 94.4 121.6 137.8 South Glamorgan 89.2 94.0 102.7 120.7 133.0 West Glamorgan 103.2 109.6 135.2 162.2 189.8 Note: The average non-domestic rate poundages shown here comprise the combined poundages of the three tiers of local government in each area—that is county, district and community council.