HC Deb 10 November 1981 vol 12 cc67-8W
27. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the programme of repair and refit of HM dockyards.

Mr. Blaker

One of the decisions flowing from our recent review of the defence programme was that we should reduce the cost of supporting the Fleet. The reduction in re fits and mid-life modernisations means that we will not require a dockyard organisation of the present size. We have therefore taken the sad but necessary decision to close the Royal dockyard at Chatham and to reduce the activities at Portsmouth. In future, therefore, Rosyth will continue to undertake the refits of SSBNs, patrol submarines, frigates and small ships, and Devonport the remainder of the dockyard programme.