§ Sir Charles Fletcher-Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to issue the consultative document on the future of the Royal ordnance factories.
§ Mr. Pattie:The trade unions have today been sent a consultative document setting out the Government's approach to the personnel and related issues which will arise on a change of status for the Royal ordnance factories. A copy is being placed in the Library of the House. We believe that the approach adopted should reassure the staff concerned that, taken as a whole, die terms and conditions of service for the proposed transition to the Companies Act company will be fair. There will be full consultation on all the issues raised.