§ 18. Dr. Kingasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the total value of work he is placing for the next two years with the Royal dockyards and commercial shipyards.
§ Mr. HayOrders so far authorised for placing this year include two fleet replenishment ships, three Leander class frigates and a survey ship. One of the frigates is planned to be built in a Royal dockyard; orders for the other ships will be placed with commercial yards by competitive tender. I cannot anticipate what further orders will be placed this year or in 1964–65.
Repair, refit and modernisation work in this country for the Royal Navy is at present running at about £47 million a year. Most of this work is done in the Royal dockyards.
§ Dr. KingIs the Minister aware that this work is the lifeblood of cities such as Portsmouth and Chatham, which 1321 have Royal dockyards? Is he also aware of its tremendous importance to firms like Thorneycroft, which engage in naval construction work? Will he deny the rumour that he proposes to reduce the amount of work which is going out in the next two years? This is of tremendous importance to these cities.
§ Mr. HayThere have been quite a number of rumours floating around recently and it is a little difficult to know to which the hon. Member refers. I recently made a statement in answer to Questions in the House as to the prospective work load on the Royal dockyards, and I am afraid that I can add nothing today to what I said on that occasion.