HC Deb 27 October 1954 vol 531 cc1902-4
6. Major Wall

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of British and Soviet cruisers, destroyers and submarines at present in commission and in reserve.

Commander Noble

Details of the strength of the Royal Navy in these classes of ships are given in the First Lord's statement explanatory of the Navy Estimates for the financial year 1954–55. The Soviet Navy has approximately 23 cruisers, 125 destroyers and 400 submarines in commission. The entire Soviet Fleet is maintained in full commission, and there is no reserve fleet.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Did not the Admiralty during the Recess discover some more Soviet warships, and was this part of the propaganda put up by the Admiralty and the naval vested interests against the efforts of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce expenditure?

Commander Noble

I can assure the hon. Gentleman there was no question of propaganda. There had been a leakage in another quarter on that occasion and we wished to make the position quite clear.

Major Wall

In view of the lessons of the last war, especially with regard to surface raiders, does not my hon. and gallant Friend feel anxiety at the figures quoted? While congratulating him on the recently announced completion of three ships of the Tiger class may I ask whether that represents a decision to have a progressive programme of replacement of surface ships?

Commander Noble

I am glad that my hon. and gallant Friend approves of the recent decision to complete the three Tiger class cruisers with the most up-to-date equipment. As my right hon. Friend said a few days ago with regard to the building programme of the future, we have a guided-weapon trial ship under construction and further progress will, of course, be based on that experience.

7. Major Wall

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of British and German cruisers, destroyers and submarines available for service at the start of World War II.

Commander Noble

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

Mr. Hale

When the Minister circulates those figures, can he put them in four columns: first, the ships built under the letter and the spirit of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty: second, those built according to the letter but not the spirit of the Treaty, like the pocket battleships; third, those built outside the terms of the Treaty and with our connivance; and fourth, those built outside the terms of the Treaty and without our knowledge?

Commander Noble

If the hon. Gentleman desires that information he had better put down a Question.

The particulars are as follows:

— Royal Navy German Navy
Available for service — September, 1939
Cruisers (including battle-cruisers) 61 8
Destroyers and escort vessels 207 17
Submarines 69 60
(about)

17. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of British and United States cruisers, destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers at present in commission and reserve.

Commander Noble

Details of the strength of the Royal Navy in these classes of ships are given in my right hon. Friend's explanatory statement presented with the Navy Estimates for the financial year 1954–55. Broadly comparable information in respect of the United States Fleet is given in the Report of the Secretary of the Navy, and I am arranging to lend the hon. Member a copy of the latest edition available.

Mr. Hughes

While expressing my gratitude to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and promising that I will peruse this document, may I ask, in view of the criticism of naval strategy made by Lord Montgomery last Friday, how many of these ships are likely to be obsolete by the time they are finished?

Commander Noble

I am glad to hear that the hon. Gentleman will peruse the document which I will lend him. I hope that he will peruse it as carefully as I perused the little yellow book which he sent to me the other day. I think that the statement by Lord Montgomery very much bears out what my right hon. Friend said the other day, and That we must watch for future developments to see what type of ship we require in the Navy.