§ Mr. Peter Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Service personnel and (b) civilians would become redundant in Defence establishments, other than in the Royal naval dockyard, in the Portsmouth travel-to-work area if his White Paper proposals were fully implemented.
§ Mr. BlakerThe scale and timing of the reduction in service and civilian posts which will be required to implement the measures announced in the Defence White Paper—Cmnd. 8388—are still being worked out. Consequently it is not yet possible to state what the precise effects, including any redundancies, will be for the Defence establishments referred to.
§ Mr. Peter Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has prepared for the disposal of land at present occupied by the Royal naval dockyard, Portsmouth.
§ Mr. BlakerThe effect of the rundown of the dockyard on the area that needs to be retained for continuing naval use cannot yet be determined. It is dependent on the rundown process itself, on which consultation with trade union representatives will start soon. The importance of identifying any areas which may become available for disposal as soon as possible is fully recognised and close contact on this aspect will be maintained with the local authorities concerned.