§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report prepared for his Department on the costs and advantages of refitting work done in Royal Naval dockyards and private shipyards.
§ Mr. LeeI assume the hon. Gentleman is referring to the work of a joint Ministry of Defence-British Shipbuilders group which is, inter alia, looking at ways of comparing the performance of the royal dockyards and industry in warship refits. The group has not yet reported, and it is too soon to say what will emerge as a result of its work. The trades unions have been informed of the study and will be consulted at the appropriate time.
I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful at this stage.