HC Deb 03 May 1971 vol 816 cc281-2W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will explain the circumstances under which Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Olna" has been transferred from Messrs. Swan Hunter's yard to Falmouth for completion.

Mr. Kirk

The company which was successful in the competition for R.F.A. "Olna" has decided to carry out the dry docking work, required under the terms of the contract, on a sub-contract basis at Falmouth, because it cannot use the Swan Hunter's yard at the moment.

Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of State for Defence if it is the policy of his Department to send Royal Feet Auxiliary ships to dockyards, such as Messrs. Swan Hunter's, when it is known that there is at such yards a protracted industrial dispute involving fitters.

Mr. Kirk

No.

Mr. Mudd

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will explain why, after Royal Feet Auxiliary "Olna" had been transferred to Falmouth for completion, his Department then immediately allo cated Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Tidereach" to Swan Hunter's yard despite the continuation of the fitters' dispute.

Mr. Kirk

The contract for the refit of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Tide-reach" had been placed with a firm in the Swan Hunter group which is not involved in the fitters' dispute.