§ 24. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will examine the possibility of continuing 65W to use the facilities at the Gibraltar dockyard for the repair and refitting of naval vessels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartWe have no requirement to retain Gibraltar dockyard after the present year. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend's written question on 20 January—[Vol. 35, c.168]—we are involved in discussions on the possible future commercialisation of the dockyard. If it does come under commercial management, we would expect some naval work to continue to be done there.
§ 44. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's discussions on the possible future commercialisation of the Gibraltar dockyard.
§ Mr. Ian StewartI have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Overseas Development on 20 January.—[Vol. 35, c.220.]