From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Recommending that Chief Assistants in the Experimental Department be placed under contract due to their access to sensitive information.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 33\1\ Scan124 | |
| Date | 12th December 1922 | |
| X1775 C.J. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to B.J. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG12.12.22. With reference to the note - Re. Secrecy of experimental work. We return the sheet herewith duly signed. We should like to point out, however, that at the present time my Chief Assistants in the Experimental Dept. are without contracts. They could leave us at any time. I recommend that these men have their contracts renewed. They have been in the Expl: Dept: 11 or 12 years. They are aware of all the probable line of developements on Rolls-Royce cars and aero engines for the next two or three years. They also are perfectly aware of all the weaknesses of the cars we are sending out. They also frequently carry out work to Mr. Royce's instructions or work which may involve patents. These men have key positions. There are many other reasons why these men should have contracts than the ordinary Foremen in the Shops, who only deal with a particular section or unit and have no access to the complete experimental information. If these Assistants chose to leave, apart from the information they could convey with them, they would also be very difficult to replace. The rule was at one time, that no-one was allowed to work in the Expl: Dept: unless they were under Contract. MADE AT CROXLEY Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||