§ 65. Mr. Callaghanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to make a statement on his plans for closing down naval establishments.
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§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyAs was mentioned in my noble Friend's Explanatory Statement on this year's Navy Estimates, the whole shore support of the Navy is being reviewed to ensure that it remains adaptable and economical and that as much money and manpower as possible can be devoted to the sea-going Fleet.
The review covers a wide field and will take time to complete. As and when conclusions are reached which are endorsed by the Board of Admiralty, steps will be taken to implement them; a recent case in point is the reduction of the naval base in the Orkneys.