§ 22. Mr. Wallasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many major landing craft of the L.C.T. (8) and L.S.T. types have been completed since 1950.
§ Mr. R. AllanNone, Sir. The existing vessels still have quite a number of years of useful life left, and, before we build replacements, we are making a careful study of what the requirement is likely to be in a few years hence.
§ Mr. WallIs not it a fact that, of the existing vessels, the L.S.T. is too slow and the L.C.T. is not ocean-worthy, and that, as an island, the only way we can land our tanks and vehicles on a foreign country, except at a port, is by using specialised shipping? Have we not yet learned the lesson the last two wars?
§ Mr. AllanOur existing landing craft are considered perfectly adequate for the tasks which they may be required to perform.
§ Mr. WiggHas the hon. Gentleman read General Keightley's dispatches, and has he noted that one of the specific complaints was about the shortage of these craft at Suez? Does he mean that he has done absolutely nothing about it since that time?
§ Mr. AllanThe Admiralty does not operate craft for the build-up. That is done by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, which has a great many more than we have.