§ 99. Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the present Mediterranean fleet is to be retained in this area under this country's North Atlantic Treaty Organisation commitments; and what provision is being made for the repairs and fitting of this fleet when the Admiralty dockyards at Malta are transferred to a commercial undertaking.
§ Mr. AllanI am afraid I cannot disclose details of N.A.T.O. war plans. As regards the second part of the Question, until the end of 1960, Malta will continue to be used for warship repairs. After this date, ships deployed in the Mediterranean will be refitted at Gibraltar or in home dockyards, although Malta dockyard, under its new commercial management, will continue to do some naval repair work for at least a number of years and would be available in an emergency.