§ 51. Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to increase recruitment into the Royal Dockyards, in view of his announcement that it was necessary to refit H.M.S. "Otter" outside the Royal Dockyards in order to relieve the overload of work in the dockyards; and how long he envisages that the present overload will continue under the present policies of recruitment.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithNone. The overload on H.M. Dockyards is temporary and will be relieved to a sufficient extent by placing the refit of H.M. Submarine "Otter" to contract. Recruitment is related to the forecast load of work, and will continue selectively as circumstances require.