§ 1. Mr. Viggersasked the secretary of State for Defence what proposals are currently under consideration by Her Majesty's Government for the civilian use of Royal Naval dockyards.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Frank Judd)Because of the heavy load of naval work the Royal dockyards can undertake only a limited amount of civilian work. A number of inquiries are, however, being considered, but for commercial reasons I cannot at this stage disclose details of them or the firms concerned.
§ Mr. ViggersI thank the hon. Gentleman for reading his ministerial reply. Can he give us more information? Who will run the dockyards if they are to be operated as industrial concerns? What industries will be operated in them?
Above all, what regional benefits will be allowed to the dockyards which are outside the normal regional areas to enable them to compete on equal terms with yards in the North and West, or is the whole thing a smokescreen to prevent fear of unemployment as a result of defence cuts?
§ Mr. JuddIt is too early to say what the outcome of the defence review will be, but our policy is to ensure that if any surplus dockyard capacity were to arise it would be put fully to productive use in the national interest under present control.
§ Mrs. Winifred EwingCan the Minister state the position with regard to the amount of civilian working at the Rosyth naval dockyard?
§ Mr. JuddThe position for Rosyth is exactly as for the other dockyards. Our future policy is as defined in my previous answer.