HC Deb 02 August 1972 vol 842 cc151-2W
Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the latest state of consultations with Portsmouth City Council concerning the release of defence land in Portsmouth to improve the facilities of the civilian docks in the Flathouse area.

Mr. Kirk

This proposal involving an exchange of land has now been considered by the Ministry of Defence and it is hoped to resume negotiations with the Portsmouth City Council later this month.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the lowest rates of civilian pay in Portsmouth Dockyard, Fleet Establishments in the Portsmouth area, Royal Marine establishments in the Portsmouth area, and Army establishments in the Portsmouth area, respectively.

Lord Balniel

In the Portsmouth area the lowest rates of pay in issue are: for the Royal Dockyard, £7 per week to a 15-year-old apprentice; for Fleet Establishments, £8.89 to a 16-year-old clerical assistant; for Royal Marine Establishments, £16.32 to a 20-year-old typist; and for Army Establishments, a basic rate of £8.65 to a juvenile labourer aged 16.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the degree to which the industrial dispute in Royal Naval dockyards is distorting ship maintenance and repair programmes, and to which it is interfering with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation commitments.

Lord Balniel

The repair and refit of a number of ships in the Royal Dockyards has been delayed, but this has not prevented the Royal Navy from meeting its NATO commitments.