§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for defence pursuant to his answer of 20 October 2003,Official Report, columns 373–4W, on departmental staff, what the total number of civilian personnel working at the Clyde dockyards was at the time of transfer of management to the private sector; what the procedure was (a) leading up to the decision for the transfer to be undertaken and (b) from the time of the decision for the transfer to be undertaken to the handover to the private sector; what companies participated in the process; what commitments in relation to job maintenance in Scotland were (i) sought and (ii) given as part of the transfer; and if he will make a statement. [138570]
§ Mr. CaplinI will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.