§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost of redundancy payments for the 2,400 jobs to be lost at Rosyth and Devonport dockyards.
§ Mr. LeeThe previously announced reductions in manning levels of 2,000 at Devonport dockyard and 400 at Rosyth are expected to be achieved mainly through natural wastage and voluntary methods, including some voluntary redundancies and voluntary premature retirements. No redundancies are anticipated at Rosyth and we hope that only voluntary redundancy, probably fewer than 600, will be required at Devonport. The estimated cost of the average industrial redundancy payment, based on the average industrial wage and assuming 30 years service, is £1 1,250.