§ 17. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many capital ships are at present unable to go to sea; and how long it will be before each of them is ready for service?
Mr. CooperTwo battleships and one battle-cruiser are undergoing large repairs. The date of their readiness for sea depends on the progress of the work and the need for their services. In addition, two battleships are refitting, both of which will be ready for sea in the near future.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it not possible to arrange these refits in such a manner that one-fifth of our capital ship force shall not be out of action at the same time?
Mr. CooperIf it were arranged in a different manner, obviously it would take us very much longer to complete the refits.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I press the question, and ask the First Lord whether it is not extremely undesirable that one-fifth of our capital ship force should be out of action at the same time?
§ Commander MarsdenBefore my right hon. Friend replies, are we to understand that one-half of that number is ready to proceed to sea very quickly in case of emergency?
Mr. CooperYes, Sir. Two battleships undergoing refits will be ready for sea in the very near future. The three undergoing substantial repairs will not be ready for some time. I realise the force of the 1951 hon. and gallant Member's argument, but equally he will understand that if you spread repairs over a longer period, and, instead of doing all three at one time, do one at a time, it will take three times as long to carry out the repairs.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderIs it proposed, in view of the present situation, to refit the "Iron Duke" on a war basis?
§ 18. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is expected that the "Warspite" will be ready for sea; and what is the cost of the repairs necessary since her refit?
Mr. CooperHis Majesty's Ship "Warspite" is ready for sea. The amount spent on the repairs to the vessel since the completion of her reconstruction is £16,600 which was included in the total cost of reconstruction given in my reply of 24th November.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether these delays in the "Warspite" being ready for sea after the refit were not due to very serious miscalculations on the part of the constructors in connection with the refits?
Mr. CooperNo, Sir. The difficulty was due to the interaction of the propellers. There is no criticism of the engineers or of the firm of Messrs. Parsons, which carried out the installation of the machinery. It was quite satisfactory.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherWere no difficulties experienced in connection with the rudders after this refit?