§ Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Arwen 37 has been evaluated or tested as a possible weapon for issue to the Army.
Ministry of Defence employees at the royal aircraft establishment 1974–83 Year Farnborough Bedford Aberporth Llanbedr Larkhill Westfreugh 1 April: 1974 4,906 1,352 563 16 139 188 1975 4,866 1,333 558 12 138 186 1976 4,745 1,327 540 11 134 179 1977 4,621 1,358 523 10 119 178 1978 4,440 1,426 525 11 112 185 1979 4,485 1,413 541 10 110 178 1980 4,295 1,368 560 10 113 179 1981 3,880 1,268 552 10 110 175 1982 3,683 1,199 540 8 102 143 1983 3,484 1,140 513 — 100 11
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards the recognition of trade union organisations by his Department and by contractors employed by his Department at royal aircraft establishments.
§ Mr. PattieRecognition enabling trades unions to take part in discussions relating to grades in more than one Department is granted by HM Treasury. Recognition may, however, be granted by Departments in respect of grades in that Department alone. To secure recognition in the Ministry of Defence, a trade union must show that it is representative of the category of staff concerned, and that it is able to forge a constructive and long-term relationship with the Department.
The recognition policies of contractors employed at the royal aircraft establishments are not a matter for the Ministry of Defence. Section 13 of the Employment Act 1982 prohibits the insertion of trades union recognition requirements in contracts such as those in existence at the royal aircraft establishments.