§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of Royal Naval Fleetlands, Gosport.
§ Mr. LeeThe Royal Naval aircraft yard, Fleetlands, at Gosport will continue to have a substantial programme of helicopter repair, overhaul and modification work, for all three services, for the foreseeable future. As elsewhere in the defence support area, we are seeking to improve efficiency at Fleetlands if we can. To this end, a number of studies are currently in hand to establish whether it would be operationally acceptable and financially acceptable to contract out certain ancillary services at the yard. There will be full consultation with the trade unions concerned before any decisions are reached.