§ Sir Frederick Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence why HMS "Dreadnought" was towed from Devonport to Chatham; whether she is to be refuelled at either dockyard; and to what extent the ship is considered to be operational in her present condition.
§ Mr. BlakerIt was originally planned to refit "Dreadnought" at Devonport and "Sovereign" at Chatham. This plan was revised following the defence programme changes because the "Sovereign" refit could not be completed within the period programmed for the closure of Chatham. As a result, "Sovereign" has been transferred to the Devonport programme and "Dreadnought" was towed to Chatham.
As to whether she is to be refuelled, at either dockyard, I cannot at present add to the answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate) on 11 November.—[Vol. 12, c. 91.]
HMS "Dreadnought" is at present non-operational.