§ 14. Miss Vickersasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on how many occasions, during the last two years, Her Majesty's ships in the operational fleet have been informed that they cannot be taken in hand by Devonport Dockyard because the yard was stated to be full up with work.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithDuring the last two years ships of the Operational Fleet have been taken in hand for their refits and intermediate dockings broadly as programmed in Devonport and in other yards.
On occasion, these ships apply for work to be done other than at programmed refit and docking times for repairs arising from unforeseen circumstances. This work is undertaken if it is considered essential; otherwise, it is deferred until the next programmed refit. Requests of this kind are naturally numerous, but no occasion is known where work of an essential nature has not been undertaken.
§ Miss VickersWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he can assure me that no ship returning from a long period overseas will be denied facilities for leave because there is not adequate provision in Devon-port Dockyard? Will he assure me, too, that he will see that minor repairs are done in Devonport Dockyard in view of the fact that we have a large unemployment problem in that area?
§ Mr. GalbraithI should like notice of the question to do with leave, but I can assure my hon. Friend that no essential work is ever delayed.