§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the delays to dockyard work programmes caused by recent industrial disputes and the impact of these delays on HMS "Triumph", HMS "Kent", HMS "Hampshire" and other ships; what arrangements he is making to overcome these delays; and what is their significance in terms of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other defence commitments.
§ Lord LambtonFollowing the r2sumption of normal working in the Royal dockyards, their programmes of work are currently under review. Adjustments will probably be necessary in the refitting arrangements for certain ships, but I am not yet able to give details. There have been effects on operational programmes, such as reduced participation in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercises, but these have been and are being kept to a minimum.