§ 26. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will outline the programme for the building of new buildings and the reconstruction of old buildings in Her Majesty's Dockyard, 659 Devonport, for the financial years 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.
§ Mr. KirkAs this answer requires a considerable amount of detailed information, I will arrange for a list of the relevant building projects to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The total estimated cost of dockyard building projects started in Devonport in these years is£19.7 million.
§ Dame Joan VickersI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. He may have heard the rumours about 6,000 men expecting to be sacked. Will he state that this programme can now be augmented more quickly in view of the unemployment figures that have been announced today, especially in the South-West?
§ Mr. KirkThe rumour to which my hon. Friend refers, and about which I have written to her, is totally untrue. We shall go ahead with this programme as fast as we can but I cannot give an undertaking that we shall increase it.
§ Dr. David OwenWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a most astounding statement that 6,000 men are rumoured to be in danger of sacking? Would he make sure that this rumour, which has never had any foundation, is squashed completely since when repeated on the Floor of the House it causes unease and unhappiness?
§ Following is the information:
§ DEVONPORT DOCKYARD BUILDING PROGRAMME
§ Projects planned to commence in 1972–73
- Modernisation of No. 3 Ship Shop for prefabrication facilities.
- Modernisation of 79/81 Shops for light plate work—Stage I
- North Lock—Stage II.
- Extension to DGST(N) computer.
§ Projects planned to commence in 1973–74
- Ships Storing and Destoring facility.
§ Projects planned to commence in 1974–75
- Provision of crane tracks No. 1 Basin/No. 1 Dock.
- Extension of No. 3 Wharf.
- Improvements to Wharves 5, 6 and 7.
- Development of Nuclear Refit Facilities.
- Uprating of No. 5 Basin caisson and camber deck.
§ Projects planned to commence in 1975–76
- Amenities Centre (Mess rooms, lockers, etc.).
- Combined joiners' and textiles shop and personnel block.
- Modernisation of 79/81 Shops for light plate work—Stage II.
- New Surgery.
- Modernisation of Buildings 8 and 9 and Red House area.
- Reprovision of Nos. 1 and 2 Stores and Transit Area, St. Levan Gate.
- No. 5 Basin (east)—improved cranage.
- Additional amenities in lieu of accommodation ships.
- Adaptation of factory—Stage II.