§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if there are any plans to transfer work currently done in establishments in Portsmouth to the dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth, following the implementation of his proposals for commercial management at Devonport and Rosyth;
(2) if he will give an assurance that the announcement made concerning the dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth will have no effect on the Portsmouth naval base;
(3) if any personnel will be transferred from Portsmouth to Devonport or Rosyth because of his Department's proposals for commercial management.
§ Mr. LeeNo,decisions on future arrangements for the royal dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth will be taken until the end of the period of consultation. It is therefore too early to say what the precise implications of any decisions might be on other areas of fleet support. However, whatever decision is taken for Devonport and Rosyth, it is envisaged that Portsmouth fleet operating and maintenance base will continue in its present role; the need for transfers from Portsmouth is not foreseen. It would, of course, be open to employees at Portsmouth to apply to be considered for transfer into the dockyards, with a view to transferring to any new arrangements.