§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates will be the effect on employment in the shipbuilding industry of the decision in the defence review to reduce by one-seventh the planned number of destroyers, frigates and MCMVs, and to delete from the forward programme five Royal Fleet auxiliaries and two amphibious ships.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe decision is not expected to lead to any immediate loss of employment, particularly as there is a general shortage of labour in the warship building industry at present. Cancellation will result in a loss of job opportunities further ahead, but I expect Royal Navy and overseas orders to take up the available capacity in the main warship building yards for the foreseeable future.