§ 26. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Minister of State for Defence when it is intended to bring HMS "Renown" into Her Majesty's Dockyard, Rosyth, for a refit now that HMS "Repulse" has left 898 the dockyard; and if he will make a statement.
§ 27. Mr. Gourlayasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the reason for the delay in commencing the refit of HMS "Renown" at Rosyth Dockyard, in view of the fact that HMS "Repulse" has now left the dockyard.
§ Mr. KirkHMS "Renown" is still operational and it is not the practice to disclose details of current and planned operational movements of Polaris submarines.
§ Mr. HunterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the workers in Rosyth Dockyard feel that the Government are being spiteful because of their industrial action in the dockyard and that the "Renown" is not coming into the yard for that reason? Is he further aware that there is a shortage of work in Rosyth Dockyard and that men are likely to be sent home, if they are not already being sent home, because of the shortage?
§ Mr. KirkAs the hon. Gentleman knows, there has been difficulty in Rosyth Dockyard, and my Department has always said that it could not risk putting HMS "Renown" into the dockyard until we had some assurance of continuing stability there. Other ships will be going in for refit there, and I hope that HMS "Renown" will go in as soon as possible.