§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the recommendations and proposals contained in 458W the Second Report of the Expenditure Committee (Session 1975–76 Defence); and if he will make a statement on the extent to which such recommendations and proposals are to be implemented.
§ Mr. MasonThe Second Report of the Expenditure Committee—Session 1975–76 Defence—which was published on Wednesday last week, is being very carefully considered and observations on it will be laid before the House in the normal manner as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether her Majesty's Government propose to follow the recommendation made by the Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee of the Expenditure Committee that his Department should start planning now for the possible closure of one of the United Kingdom dockyards.
§ Mr. MasonThe recommendation of the Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee will, of course, be studied with care. I must again stress, however, that there is a continuing heavy load of naval refitting and repair work for all the dockyards for the foreseeable future