§ 28. Mr. Atkinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what provision exists for the transport of Army personnel and equipment oversea by the Royal Navy to places where their presence is, or may be, required for operations.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThe Royal Navy's responsibilities are confined to the provision of ships for the assault lift and to the escorting and protection of the transports used in seaborne troop movements.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes my hon. Friend consider that the two tank landing ships which he has in the operational fleet are adequate for the execution of his responsibility? Does he not consider that the Navy should take on considerably more of these ships in order to make an adequate contribution to combined operations?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI think that the two tank landing ships are enough for an assault landing. Whilst I have defined the Navy's responsibilities, I would remind my hon. Friend that other Ministries have responsibilities in this sphere. For instance, the M.T.C.A. and the War Office have responsibilities at sea. The Royal Air Force, in the case of an air-lift, use Transport Command, Coastal Command, independent airlines and the Corporations.