File containing papers concerning Devonport dockyard, and the effects of implementation of the Dockyard Services Act 1986, including the legal action taken by the trade unions against the Secretary of State for Defence on the grounds that the Government failed to follow consultation procedures laid down in the Act; the take-over of the management of the dockyard by Devonport Management Limited, a consortium headed by American firm Brown and Root; the reduction of naval core work at the dockyard and announcement of redundancies following the transfer of the yard to commercial management; and difficulties encountered by employees over redundancy payments and procedure. Papers include:

• correspondence between David Owen and Ministry of Defence officials including Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State for Defence Procurement Archie Hamilton and Tim Sainsbury, and Secretary of State for Defence George Younger
• transcripts of statements/articles by David Owen on the effects of commercial management on Devonport Dockyard
• copy of David Owen's affidavit in support of Trade Unions case against the Ministry of Defence Mar 1987
• briefing notes and memoranda
• copy of report City of Plymouth. Reactions to Dockyards job losses produced by management consultants Coopers and Lybrand Associates, Mar 1987
• and copy of press release and letter to dockyard employees announcing redundancy plans etc.