§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will agree to provide a contractual guarantee of work to both Rosyth and Devonport dockyards.
§ Mr. AitkenThe Government have not ruled out the possibility that some form of contractual commitment relating to future refitting work could be included as one of the matters for negotiation with tenderers for the dockyards.
§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 provisions will apply to the employees of the royal dockyards following full privatisation.
§ Mr. AitkenThis will depend upon the particular circumstances of the proposed sale. However, my Department will honour any obligations on it arising from the relevant employment legislation.
40W
§ Ms Rachel SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Government will guarantee the pensions and redundancy entitlements of the royal dockyards' employees after full privatisation.
§ Mr. AitkenTerms and conditions of employment at the royal dockyards remain a matter for negotiation between the work forces—or their representatives—and their respective employers.