HC Deb 11 December 1984 vol 69 c410W
Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet trade union representatives to discuss redundancies at royal ordnance factories.

Mr. Butler

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I met representatives of the industrial and non-industrial trades unions on 1 November, and we have subsequently corresponded with them on the question of the reductions in the royal ordnance factories. If the trades unions have further points to raise, I have no doubt that a further meeting could be arranged.

27. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with trade union representatives of the royal ordnance factories concerning redundancies.

Mr. Butler

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I met representatives of the industrial and non-industrial trades unions on 1 November.

34. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning ammunition manufacture at royal ordnance factories.

Mr. Butler

The ammunition division of the royal ordnance factories comprises the factories at Birtley, Blackburn, Chorley, Glascoed and Patricroft together with the agency factory at Featherstone; in addition small arms ammunition is manufactured at Radway Green in the small arms division. These factories produce a range of high quality munitions and the Government wish to see them successful in their new commercial environment. However, the current order position has necessitated the declaration of redundancies at certain of these factories although the extent of these has been reduced by the recent placing of further orders by the Ministry of Defence.