§ Dr. Liam FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he now intends to publish his proposals for future arrangements for warship refitting and repair; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenWe continue to receive from a variety of sources much detailed and important information which bears on future arrangements for the refitting and repair of Royal Navy vessels, particularly nuclear-powered submarines. This information has recently included a further series of proposals from the contractors at the royal dockyards for the provision of the new dockyard facilities that will be needed to support Trident submarines. We now expect that the need to assess properly the latest contractor proposals will preclude an announcement before the House returns after the Christmas recess, but we will make an announcement thereafter as soon as we responsibly can.