HC Deb 08 March 1994 vol 239 cc200-1W
Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the cost involved in the change of task at Rosyth naval base in terms of redundancies and associated costs for civilians and the transfer of naval personnel;

(2) what are the numbers involved in the change in task of Rosyth to a minor war vessels operating base for both civilian and royal naval personnel as at (a) July 1991, (b) January 1994 and (c) completion of change of task to a minor war vessels operating base;

(3) if he will provide an update on the annual savings over five years expected from the change in task at Rosyth naval base;

(4) if he will make it his policy that the social and economic implications of changes at Rosyth will be taken fully into account during the current review;

(5) if he will place in the Library a copy of the terms of reference for the studies regarding minor war vessel base porting being carried out at Rosyth, Plymouth Devonport and Portsmouth.

Mr. Aitken

I refer the hon. Lady to my letter of 3 March 1994; a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House.

Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual value for the past five years of refit, docking and essential defects and other work carried out by Rosyth royal dockyard on minor war vessels based at Rosyth and elsewhere; and what percentage this represents of the total shipwork expenditure on minor war vessels.

Mr. Aitken

The annual value of refit, docking and essential defects and other work carried out by Rosyth royal dockyard over the past five years on minor war vessels is set out:

£ million
At outturn prices
1989–90 26.57
1990–91 27.18
1991–92 25.73
1992–93 21.54
1993–94 123.17
1 Estimate.

Some minor war vessel work is undertaken by the fleet maintenance groups at the naval bases. Since these organisations are capacity funded, not all costs arising out of minor war vessel work are attributed to this task. It is, therefore, not possible to establish a meaningful percentage comparison with the total shipwork expenditure on minor war vessels. However, broad indications are that in 1992–93 the figure was around 60 per cent. and the estimate for the current financial year is around 80 per cent.

Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's assessment of the resulting unemployment rates in Dunfermline and Fife if the Rosyth naval base were to be closed as a result of the current review.

Mr. Aitken

No decisions on the defence costs study have been taken, nor will they be until Ministers have been presented with the findings of the study as a whole. It is too early to speculate about the outcome of this work.

Ms Rachel Squire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundant personnel formerly employed at Rosyth naval base have used the redundancy counselling and relocation service provided by British Coal Enterprise; and how many of these have gained employment as a result.

Mr. Hanley

Between 12 October 1992 and 28 February 1994, of the 92 employees who registered with British Coal Enterprise, 81 subsequently attended outplacement training. Of this number, 75 decided to pursue full-time employment in the area. To date, 41 have found new jobs and four, who were provided with additional specialised training, are now self-employed. Of the 30 still seeking employment, 15 remain employed at Rosyth naval base.