§ 20. Mr. Atkinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty at what stage in a ship's life he normally decides not to undertake further modernisation.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingIn very broad terms, a warship has a useful hull life of about twenty years. The pace of development of modern equipment and weapons is likely to make a modernisation necessary about half way through this period. Normally, we should expect a modernised ship to give some eight to ten years' useful service thereafter.
§ Mr. AtkinsI am grateful for that reply. Can my hon. Friend assure me that he recognises that a ship which is not fully modernised and is getting old may still perform useful if somewhat more limited service and that he will keep a careful eye on that, since, if a watch is not kept upon it, a lot of work may be very wasteful?
§ Mr. CallaghanIn view of the distressing experience with the "Victorious", which will be thirty years old almost by 1970, can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether there has been any recent review in the Admiralty of the comparative costs of modernisation as against scrapping and rebuilding?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingMay I first set the hon. Gentleman right? Although the hull will have been laid down some thirty years, it is not thirty years' sea life which that hull will have had by 1970. It is that criterion which has to be taken into consideration. I will certainly bear in mind the second point which the hon. Gentleman has made.