asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to extend to other naval bases the scheme which has been experimentally operated at Chatham naval base, which is an incentive scheme on a piece-work basis.

The new dockyard wages structure, which was introduced on trial at Chatham Dockyard in July 1975, involved the withdrawal of payment-by-results schemes and their replacement with a flat rate allowance for all industrial employees, together with associated new management control systems.Subject to negotiation with the trade unions of a satisfactory agreement, I hope that a scheme suitable for all four home dockyards can be introduced when pay policy permits.