D/Sec (FS)/45/32 9 October 1992
PS/USofS
Copy to: Sec/CFS
AUS (FS)
DGST (N)
DST (SF)
DNSC
DNSY
Sec (0) (C)
LOCSEN
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
CM (GC)
Civil Secretary Hong Kong
CAPIC Hong Kong
FCO (Hong Kong Dept)
HKA 062/2
DBH4\DBH-590
ra.
(angus' wil files).
in Burke
feems ok.
FUTURE MANNING OF LAUNDRY FACILITIES ON ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARIES
1.
The purpose of this minute is to bring to USofS's attention a change in the manning of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels (RFAs) which will remove the last Hong Kong Chinese personnel from RFA service.
2. Laundry services on RFAs are provided by Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen - generally 1 or 2 per vessel. Currently 30 are employed on RFAs from a total register of 42. Once sovereignty of Hong Kong passes to the People's Republic of China in 1997 we will be unable to employ Hong Kong Chinese for reasons of security, and there is no prospect of the Hong Kong Chinese Laundrymen obtaining UK passports. We therefore intend to implement a phased changeover from Hong Kong Chinese to UK personnel. The opportunity will also be taken to extend to the laundrymen the principles of increased flexibility of work for ratings, which are being introduced through the Interdepartmental Flexibility Agreement (currently being negotiated with the maritime trade unions). Increased flexibility of manning is an essential element in improving efficiency in the RFAs, leading to an overall reduction in ships' complements and savings in excess of £20M over the LTC period. The new laundrymen will therefore become involved with duties including storing, cleaning, fire-fighting and repair parties, and weapon training, in addition to those currently carried out by the Chinese laundrymen.
3. Market testing the laundry service on board was considered carefully but rejected. The need to undertake a wide range of ship duties, including the use of weapons during peace and hostilities, precludes the use of contractor's staff. Also, the maintenance of ship's discipline - an important factor given the particularly long tours that the RFAs generally undertake - could be compromised by the use of contractor's
LOCSEN
MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE
47
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.