HC Deb 30 January 1967 vol 740 cc4-5
6 Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what new buildings are planned or improvements made in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, and H.M.S. "Drake", Devonport, in 1967.

Mr. Prentice

It is now planned to redevelop H.M.S. "Drake" at a cost of about £2 million. Preliminary work will start this year and the new construction should begin in 1968 or early 1969. I have written to the hon. Lady about the dockyard.

Dame Joan Vickers

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply and appreciate his courtesy in sending me a letter dealing with the dockyard. However, considering that everything that he mentioned can be seen either from the 14-storey blocks or the top of a bus, I cannot see why it should be confidential. With regard to H.M.S. "Drake", will the Wrens move into these quarters in the near future? Does he consider getting rid of the hutted accommodation, which it is undesirable for naval personnel on leave to sleep in?

Mr. Prentice

I was advised on the security aspect by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. It is not the usual practice to publish details of developments at dockyards. Even if some aspects may be apparent, if the whole lot is added together, it gives a picture of the naval building programme which should preferably be kept confidential. The earlier scheme to modernise the Hawkins Block has been dropped because the building was too small and the conversion was uneconomic, but a new building to provide accommodation for the Wrens is being considered as part of the development plan. On the hon. Lady's other question, it depends which parts of the hutting are involved. If the hon. Lady would like it, I will give her some more detailed information in a letter.