Portsmouth Dockyard (Hansard, 11 May 1976)

§ 11. Mr. Brotherton
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will pay an official visit to Portsmouth Dockyard.

§ Mr. Duffy
My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to visit Portsmouth Dockyard.

§ Mr. Brotherton
Is the Minister aware that alongside in Portsmouth lies what is left of HMS "Bulwark", our last Commando ship? In view of the Government's commitments to amphibious forces, how do the Government propose to transport the Royal Marines and their helicopters in future?

§ Mr. Duffy
Although HMS "Bulwark" has been taken off the active list since 31st March this year, her material condition is being maintained until decisions can be taken about the Royal Navy's ASW capability. The amphibious forces have been reduced, but only so that we can concentrate on the central areas of NATO. This decision arose from the defence review. But there remain a brigade headquarters, 3 Commando Group, associated Wessex helicopters and Army support and—to come to the hon. Gentleman's last question—two assault ships. Moreover, HMS "Hermes" will also retain a secondary rôle as a Commando ship.

§ Mr. Viggers
Is the Minister aware that so much of our commitment is now chan- 216 nelled through NATO, and so many cuts have been made elsewhere, that we now lack the flexibility that the Royal Marines—properly mounted—and small surface ships could provide?

§ Mr. Duffy
I hope that that is not the case. I am taking the earliest opportunity to visit the Royal Marines on the ground and watch them in exercises later this year. I hope that I shall be able to satisfy myself on that question.

§ Mr. Roper
If my hon. Friend has an opportunity to visit Portsmouth Dockyard, will he confirm the recommendations of the Expenditure Committee on the possibility of creating a trading fund for the Royal dockyards?

§ Mr. Duffy
I assure my hon. Friend that I am very interested in that recommendation. I was in Devonport Dockyard only last Wednesday, attending my first Dockyards Policy Board, and I took the first opportunity of making my interest manifest. I intend to pursue it.

§ Rear-Admiral morgan-Giles
Whilst adding to the congratulations already given to the hon. Gentleman on becoming First Lord of the Admiralty, may I ask him to realise that all through history the ships of the Royal Navy have gone out from Portsmouth Dockyard for one reason only—to defend our trade routes? Will he make sure during his term of office that that receives more emphasis than it has in recent years?

§ Mr. Duffy
I am grateful to the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I share his awareness of, and concern about, this prime rôle of the Royal Navy, and I intend to dwell upon it in my contribution to our debate tomorrow.