§ Mr. Pinkasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual amount which it is estimated will be saved by the reduction in scope and volume of work at Portsmouth dockyard.
§ Mr. BlakerThere will be very large savings from the change in policy regarding an end to major refits.
So far as wages, salaries, material and spares are concerned, the rundown of Portsmouth dockyard will by 1984–5 produce a saving of some £50 million per annum over current costs to the defence budget. These figures do not take account of the realisation of redundant assets.