Intro. G.E.C. [?]
Co—factory—high technology—most up to date equipment most advanced work.
Welcome this—& new jobs in a region already an important source of defence equipment. p2
Work—of great importance—Part of the defence of our way of life.
Those who work here know that the Royal Navy and A.F. are perhaps the finest in the world—a supreme asset to Britain as indeed are all our Armed Services. They will never let Britain down—& we will never let them down.
To carry out their task they [end p1] need good civilian back up of people whose skill & resln. sense of duty & sense of country. p3
matches theirs. [? govt.]
Why—secure best equipment and to enable us to afford it—we have to get a good share of exports.
Here in Neston—you have satisfaction of knowing you will be producing torpedoes for the R.N. & R.A.F. that will make a vital contribution to deterring & countering the Soviet military threat at sea. p4
Threat—very real and world-wide
Soviet Navy far larger than needed for defence
No? Submarine?
Last year alone 9 more nuclear submarines & 4 conventional were produced for the Soviet Navy.
1 new Soviet sub every 4 weeks. Each new class [end p2] faster, better protected & can operate at greater depths To defend becomes more complex and difficult. p5
Glad to hear Sting-Ray coming along well. Promises to be most effective anti sub weapon in the world.
Know Marconi & MOD alive to export potential. Orders better than potential. We will seek every means of obtaining these. Already mentioned this weapon during visit to U.S. p6
Heavy Weight Torpedo Looking further ahead—know that Tigerfish R.N.'s current L.w.t. will have to be replaced by a new torpedo so that we can meet the increasing threat.
Recognise importance to Marconi of securing the contract. Hope [end p3] p7
Marconi will realise that price will be an important factor in deciding where the order will eventually be placed. The development and production of Stingray cost £1,000m. The more we spend on one weapon the more cost-conscious we have to be about others. p8
Y.O.P.
Marconi Neston about to introduce a new training scheme for 50 young people who live within 25 miles of Neston.
Training will be designed to equip them to be the Manufacturing and Commercial managers of to-morrow Know the importance of [p9] design, production, price, delivery, if their [end p4] company & the country is to thrive. And that the pursuit of ever great [sic] efficiency is a daily and a relentless task. If we don't keep a step ahead of others, they will keep a step ahead of us. There are no prizes for being a good second when a big contract is at stake. p10
Doubtless some trainees will then seek work elsewhere—but the country will benefit from their training in a high technology industry. [David Hunt]
Thanks—congratulations—full appreciation of work of everyone Ch. to newest employee & trainee Pleasure declare factory open