HC Deb 18 May 1949 vol 465 cc410-1
20. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many aircraft carriers are now under construction; what is their cost; and when they are likely to be completed.

Mr. Dugdale

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Navy Estimates from which it will be seen that two fleet carriers and eight light fleet carriers are at various stages of construction. We hope that H.M.S. "Eagle" will be completed by the end of 1950 and the second fleet carrier, H.M.S. "Ark Royal," by the end of 1952. The completion dates of the others are not yet finally settled. The total cost of constructing these ships is, on present information, expected to be of the order of £60 million.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the American Navy has decided to discontinue building great aircraft carriers; and has the Admiralty considered saving some of these millions, because these ships will be slightly obsolete by the time the work is carried out?

Mr. Dugdale

No, Sir, the American Navy is keeping a large number of other carriers.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

In view of the correspondence which has recently appeared in the Press, can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance to the House that the light fleet carriers which he has mentioned will have sufficient speed to enable the most modern naval aircraft to operate from their decks in light winds?

Mr. Dugdale

I think we can be certain that that will happen.

Sir R. Ross

Have not the American Navy got about double the number of carriers we have, and will the Minister do his best to provide the Navy with an adequate number of carriers and not be distracted by the fads of fellow travellers?