§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report of the study of the Royal dock-yards; and if he will make statement.
§ Mr. SpeedA consultative document setting out the findings and the recommendations of the dockyard study has been prepared and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
The report recommends an early announcement about the future of the four home dockyards. The Government accept the recommendation in the report and confirm the need to retain the four home dockyards, though levels of employment in each dockyard will depend on the success of their management and work force in improving efficiency. The Government also accept the report's conclusion that the introduction of private capital into the dockyards is not a practical solution at this time.
The Government have noted the remaining recommendations of the report. These represent a complex and inter-connected package and raise a number of issues going beyond the dockyards themselves. A great deal of further work will be required before the Government are in a position to take firm decisions. As the next step, however, the Government would welcome the views of hon. Members and other interested parties on the proposals in the report as a contribution towards the process of developing a long-term strategy for the future of the dockyards and the naval refitting programme.