§ Mr. Juddasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the plans for the next refit of HMS "Bulwark" with special regard to 331W the need to improve eating, sleeping, washing and other amenities for her crew.
§ Mr. BuckHMS "Bulwark" will be taken in hand for her next refit at Devon-port in February 1974. It is scheduled to last 26 weeks.
Living conditions for the ship's company aboard "Bulwark" are below the best current naval standard and "hard lying" money is paid to the crew members. It has been necessary in planning the refit to take into account the length of operational service envisaged for this ship; the refit will, of course, provide for operational improvements but much of the work will be aimed at bringing safety and habitability standards up to date. This will include new furnishings in the dining halls and improvements to the galleys.