§ 18. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on his plans to pay an official visit to the city of Portsmouth.
§ Lord BalnielI have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. JuddIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Portsmouth there is a desperate 752 shortage of land for housing, recreation and further education and that, as employment prospects decline in the dockyard, there is an urgent need for land for alternative industry in which to employ the citizens of Portsmouth? Does he agree that the relatively spacious provision of amenities for the Navy is hard to bear and that it aggravates the city's financial problems in terms of rate revenue? Will he undertake to transfer far more Service land to the city, but not at extortionate existing market rates?
§ Lord BalnielIf the hon. Gentleman had put down a Question about land holdings I should have been able to give him a more detailed answer. I understand that in the past six years the Services have disposed of 18 per cent. of their land in the City of Portsmouth. We will certainly consider whether more land can be disposed of as it becomes available for disposal. I shall certainly consider the points made by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Dr. David OwenIf the right hon. Gentleman has no plans to visit Portsmouth, may I ask whether he has any plans to make a statement about the recent breach of Naval security, a lot of which came from H.M.S. "Vernon", which is a Portsmouth establishment? Will he give some indication whether the Government intend to make a statement on this most serious breach of Naval security, relating to submarines and information which could give a great deal of succour and comfort to our enemies?
§ Lord BalnielAgain, that does not arise from the Question. However, the House will know that the case is subject to appeal. In those circumstances, it would be wrong for me to make any statement.