§ 27. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with the Minister of Defence of Spain about the future use of the Gibraltar naval dockyard, in the light of its impending closure as a Royal naval dockyard.
§ Mr. BlakerMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.
§ 41. Sir Nigel Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will defer the closure of the Gibraltar naval dockyard, in order to allow a longer transition period for its conversion to a commercial dockyard.
§ Mr. BlakerThe Government have decided that the process of closure of Gibraltar naval dockyard should start 355W in 1983 with preparatory action as necessary in 1982. Consultations have commenced with the Gibraltar Government in line with the British Government's commitment reflected in Cmnd. 8288 to consider possible alternative economic activities including commercialisation of the dockyard. A full programme of naval work will be available for the dockyard in 1982, and consideration is being given to a further programme for 1983 and 1984, geared to the proposed transition to commercial work.