HC Deb 13 December 1950 vol 482 cc1142-3
42. Mr. Donner

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates and motor torpedo boats separately, have been sold, and how many scrapped, since the end of the war; and how many of those sold were sold to foreign countries.

Mr. Callaghan

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Donner

Can the hon. Gentleman clarify one point? In view of the heavy depletion in our naval strength and the virtual certainty, in the event of war, of naval operations in narrow waters, with the inevitable losses which follow, will he state why the Government will not lay down a single additional cruiser?

Mr. Callaghan

That seems very wide of the original Question.

Following is the answer:

BATTLESHIPS, ETC., SOLD OR SCRAPPED SINCE THE END OF THE WAR
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
— Scrapped Sold Sold to Foreign Countries (included in (3)) Sold or disposed of to Commonwealth Countries (included in (3))
Battleships … … 11 — — —
Aircraft Carriers … … 2 2 1 1
Cruisers … … … 28 2 1 1
Destroyers … … 123 25 14 11
Frigates … … … 42 48* 33* 15
Motor Torpedo Boats … 18 196 10 —
* Includes I given to Burma.

73. Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what changes have been made in the disposition of His Majesty's ships in the categories, "Active Fleet," "Training and Experimental, etc.," and "In Reserve," since the publication of the First Lord of the Admiralty's statement explanatory of the Navy Estimates, Command Paper No. 7897.

STRENGTH OF THE FLEET EXCLUDING AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
— Active Fleet Training and Special Duties In Reserve
Battleships … … … — VANGUARD ANSON HOWE DUKE OF YORK KING GEORGE V
Cruisers … … … … 13 2 11
Destroyers … … … 27 17 68 (a)
Frigates … … … … 34 15 115
Monitors … … … — — 2
Submarines … … … 35 — 25 (b)
Minesweepers … … … 13 2 48
Fast Minelayers … … … — — 3
(a) Includes one for transfer to Roval Pakistan Navy.
(b) Includes two on loan to Royal Netherlands Navy.