§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, when drawing up proposals for the privatisation of the royal ordnance factories, he will seek to ensure (a) the job security and (b) continuation of existing terms and conditions of employment for their employees.
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§ Mr. PattieThe level of employment at the ROFs will always depend, as indeed it does now, on the length of the factories' order books and on future sales prospects. The Government's proposals are aimed at maximising these, and with them the employment prospects of the ROFs. Some minor adjustments to terms and conditions of service which are relevant only to employment in the Civil Service will be required, but we have made clear our intention that the transfer shall not result in a worsening of the terms and conditions of service, taken as a whole, which employees enjoy at the time of transfer.
§ Mr. Allen Adamsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to protect the jobs of those who may be affected by Government proposals to privatise royal ordnance factories.
§ Mr. PattieStaff currently employed in the ROFs will be transferred to the new organisation on terms broadly comparable to those on which they are serving at present. The level of employment at the ROFs will always depend, as indeed it does now, on the factories' profitability the length of their order books and future sales prospects, and it is the objective of the Government's proposals to maximise these.