§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will state the cost and purpose of the refit of the Royal Yacht "Britannia";
- (2) whether the Royal Yacht "Britannia" is being converted to a hospital ship under the current refit; and if he will make a statement;
- (3) if he will list the expenditure, in major categories, which is involved in the refit of the Royal Yacht "Britannia".
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost
Man-weeks Per cent. Dockwork … … … … … … … … … 1,145 14 Hull … … … … … … … … … 2,150 26 Ship's machinery … … … … … … … … 2,175 26 General services (electricity, water supply, air conditioning etc.) … 1,000 12 Accommodation and domestic services … … … … 700 8 Health and safety requirements … … … … … … 55 1 Radio and radar work … … … … … … … 98 2 Other repair and maintenance etc. … … … … … 454 5 Improvements (including installation of additional firefighting equipment, new navigational aids, new navigation lights) and other equipment … … … … … … … … 523 6 8,300 100 "Britannia" is not being converted to a hospital ship under her current refit; it has always been the case that she is readily available for this role if the need should arise.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the strategic value to the North Atlantic Organisation fleet of the Royal Yacht "Britannia".
§ Mr. SpeedThe Royal Yacht "Britannia" is not declared to NATO. In an emergency she would be available as a hospital ship.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received for the use of "Britannia" by pensioners or people needing recuperation from industrial injury once the current refit is complete.