HL Deb 16 December 1992 vol 541 cc44-5WA
The Earl of Selkirk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they are considering moving the centre of nuclear submarine services from Rosyth Royal Dockyard to Devonport in view of the skills and capital equipment contained at Rosyth.

Viscount Cranborne

Refit and decommissioning work on nuclear-powered submarines is currently conducted at both Royal dockyards—at Devonport and Rosyth. Neither is regarded as the "centre" for this work. Studies carried out by the Ministry of Defence, with the support of independent consultants, have shown that it would be technically feasible and save significant sums to concentrate all such work at one or other of these two sites.

Each of the dockyard contractors has submitted proposals for the enhanced capital facilities that will be needed. These proposals, together with a variety of other information from a wide range of sources, are being studied by the Ministry of Defence. No decisions have been taken. The Government will publish their proposals as soon as they responsibly can and will consult widely on them thereafter.