§ 16. Sir R. Rossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient anti-submarine craft of adequate speed to meet all probable eventualities.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsIt is the policy of the Admiralty to ensure that, when the need arises, the Navy shall have sufficient vessels of all types to meet any likely threat.
§ Sir R. RossWhile accepting that admirable truism, may I ask whether the Civil Lord is not aware that the antisubmarine ships of the last war are now too slow for any possible war in which we may be engaged in the future, and that we may not get as much warning and time to build craft as we have had in the previous two wars?
§ Mr. EdwardsI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have that very fully in mind, and steps are being taken to deal with that situation.