HC Deb 28 July 1988 vol 138 cc583-4W
Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet representatives of the work force of Milford Haven and Trecwn RNADs before 30 September to discuss the consultative document "The Future of RNADs Milford Haven and Trecwn" issued on 25 July.

Mr. Freeman

Yes.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when it was originally intended to issue the report on the future of RNADs Milford Haven and Trecwn.

Mr. Freeman

No specific date was fixed for the publication of the consultative document. It was issued as soon as the relevant Ministry of Defence departments had considered all aspects of this complex question, and the Welsh Office had been consulted.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the main features of the normal rules for order of redundancy referred to in paragraph 11 of the consultative document on the future of the royal naval arms depots at Milford Haven and Trecwn.

Mr. Freeman

Redundancy procedures would be implemented only if a final decision to close Milford Haven is taken after completion of the consultative process and it was not possible to offer alternative jobs within the MOD. However, the normal rules for redundancy can be summarised as follows:

Selection of employees for redundancy

1. The head of establishment will select the employees to be declared redundant from these categories and in this order:

  1. a. VOLUNTEERS. Those aged 57 to 60 years being given preference.
  2. b. EMPLOYEES AGED 65 AND OVER
    1. 1. The oldest should normally be declared redundant first.
    2. 2. In industrial grades from which there is in line promotion, eg to chargehand, certain stores grades etc., employees in the higher grade aged 65 or over will be declared redundant before those in the lower grade under 65, despite the absence of redundancy in the higher grade, provided that there are employees in the lower grade suitable for promotion.
  3. c. DILUTEES. Where the redundancy occurs in a craft grade, dilutees employed in the craft concerned will be declared redundant before fully qualified craftsmen.
  4. d. EMPLOYEES OVER THE MINIMUM RETIREMENT AGE. Provided the correct inefficiency or ill health procedures have been followed, and there has been no subsequent improvement, the head of establishment may call on industrial employees over the minimum retirement age (60 in most cases) to retire if on account of health or reduced ability they are no longer capable of carrying out the full duties of their grade.
  5. e. OTHER EMPLOYEES. If the number of employees under sub-paragraphs a to d is insufficient to resolve the redundancy, the head of establishment will select other employees to make up the required number. In doing so, while having regard to the efficiency of the establishment, and therefore, to the general proficiency and reliability of individual employees, and their suitability for other work, he will adhere as closely as possible to the order determined by the length of service, that is, reverse order of seniority.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by age, sex and length of service the total number of staff in each category E grade employed at royal naval arms depots (a) Milford Haven and (b) Trecwn.

Mr. Freeman

I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.