HC Deb 30 October 1946 vol 428 cc583-4
4. Wing-Commander Roland Robinson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to make any change in the design and construction of British warships following the recent atom bomb tests.

Mr. Dugdale

Design and construction of His Majesty's ships is at all times subject to modification as the result of experience and of research and experiment. The lessons learnt from Bikini tests will certainly be used to the full, but a great deal of examination and analysis must take place before these results can be fully apprehended.

Wing-Commander Robinson

Has any communication been received from the Americans to indicate that changes in design may or may not be necessary as a result of the tests?

Mr. Dugdale

No, Sir. We are awaiting the official report.

Sir Ronald Ross

Has any consultation taken place with naval architects or with the great private shipbuilding firms? Or will the matter be confined entirely to the Admiralty?

Mr. Dugdale

We shall have to wait for the reports before deciding anything.