§ 7. Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed in each of the following Royal Navy dockyards: Chatham, Devonport, Portsmouth and Rosyth.
§ Mr. JuddRounded to the nearest hundred the numbers are as follows: Portsmouth 8,900, Devonport 12,000, Chathham 6,500, and Rosyth 6,000.
§ Mr. TrotterDoes the Minister deny that a reduction in the strength of the Royal Navy would require the closure of one of those yards and that a large-scale reduction in the strength of the Royal Navy is inevitable if the commitments of his party in opposition are carried out?
§ Mr. JuddAs I said in answer to a previous supplementary question, should there be any spare capacity as a result of the defence review the Government are concerned to see the human and capital resources used in some other direction in the best possible interests of the nation.
§ Mr. DalyellRepresenting some of the 6,000 who work at Rosyth, I should be willing to see that work force run down so long as civilian work could be provided for North Sea oil rigs and development. It would be perfectly sensible to turn Rosyth naval dockyard into a base for North Sea oil.
§ Mr. JuddMy hon. Friend will recognise that it is far too early to make any predictions about changes in naval demands on the dockyards. Should such changes occur, we are determined to make sure that the rich resources of human and capital investment in those yards are fully utilised in the interests of the nation.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe Secretary of State for Defence was honest enough in his speech to admit that cuts in defence equipment would lead to unemployment. Surely exactly the same applies to the 168 Royal dockyards? Would it not be more honest for the hon. Gentleman to admit it?
§ Mr. JuddThe right hon. Gentleman has played this theme for a long time, not least during the recent General Election. We recognise from first-hand experience and surveys that there are rich resources of capital equipment and human ability in the dockyards which we know can make an important contribution to the economic and industrial well-being of Britain.
§ Mr. William HamiltonIs my hon. Friend aware that we want a firm assurance that both the civilian and the military personnel at Rosyth will be maintained at their present strength, if not increased? Will he give an assurance that full consideration will be given to the suggestion of my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) so that we may have a contribution to our essential NATO defences and civilian work on North Sea oil?
§ Mr. JuddMy hon. Friend will recognise that the dockyards at present are more than fully occupied in meeting Service requirements. If at any stage they are able to take on additional work in the interests, for example, of North Sea oil development, I shall be only too glad to see them moving in that direction.