GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR DEVONPORT DOCKYARD AND NAVAL BASE

Early day motion 996, tabled 23 March 2005 by Colin Breed (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 10 members.

That this House notes with concern the widely held belief in the West Country that recent tenders for surface ship refit work have not been awarded by the Ministry of Defence to Devonport Dockyard even though its tenders may have been the most competitive; recognises the possible job losses at Devonport as a consequence of these decisions; believes that it is vital that the bidding process for future refit work is open and transparent so that public confidence can be restored; calls upon the Government to agree that, for a minimum period of three years, no further surface ship refit contracts shall be awarded unless accompanied by a National Audit Office certificate confirming that the final decision has been reached exclusively on the basis of the most competitive bid; and further calls for the continuation of the base porting of the Trafalgar class of submarines at Devonport Naval Base.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 7, Labour 2, Conservative 1.