HC Deb 25 April 1951 vol 487 cc57-8W
Commander Noble

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how the surplus stores, including medical, were disposed of on closing down Bermuda dockyard; whether any were dumped; what is the future of the floating dock and when this was decided; and whether any refit equipment has been sent out since the dockyard started closing down.

Mr. W. Edwards

All serviceable stores which were not surplus to the requirements of the Royal Navy have been returned to the United Kingdom. Certain surplus medical stores have been sold to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda, and certain other naval stores and plant not required by the Royal Navy were sold locally by competitive tender. A remaining small quantity of stores which were unserviceable or that it was impracticable to bring to this country were dumped. Some spares for small craft have been sent out to Bermuda but otherwise no refit equipment has been sent there since the dockyard started to close down. It was decided as recently as last month that, in view of the altered circumstances, the large floating dock in Bermuda should be retained for continued use by the Royal Navy, and instructions have now been given for it to be towed to the United Kingdom.