HC Deb 25 November 1959 vol 614 cc355-7
30. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the cost of the aircraft carrier H.M.S. "Hermes"; and the estimated weekly cost of running it.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The cost of H.M.S. "Hermes" is approximately £18 million.

H.M.S. "Hermes" is a major unit of the Fleet and the cost of running her cannot be segregated from the cost of the Royal Navy as set out in Navy Estimates. However, the cost of oil fuel and other naval stores, under ordinary circumstances, will be about £8,000 a week, and the pay and allowances of her officers and men when she has her full complement, about £20,000 a week.

Mr. Hughes

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that this is an extraordinary sum to be paid for this expensive and obsolete monstrosity? This is the cost of a town. Has he nobody at the Admiralty capable of giving an approximate estimate of what this thing costs per week, apart from the cost of the oil?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I cannot agree with the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I agree that this is expensive, but Britain must stand up for her interests in all parts of the world. As to the second part of the supplementary question, the cost is so obscure. For instance, do we take into account the cost of training all the personnel? Do we consider the cost of married quarters, pensions and so on? It is a difficult sum to calculate. I have given the House the best information I can.

Mr. Monslow

Does the Civil Lord agree that this vessel is well worth the cost, having regard to the fact that it was built by the finest craftsmen in the world, namely, those in Barrow-in-Furness?

31. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the cost of the various aircraft that are to be operated from the aircraft carrier H.M.S. "Hermes".

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The aircraft to be operated from H.M.S. "Hermes" will naturally vary from time to time, but their initial capital cost will be of the order of £10 million.

Mr. Hughes

Even though this vessel was built at Barrow-in-Furness, does not the Civil Lord think that this is a very large item of national expenditure? Does he really think that these aircraft carriers are worth while in this nuclear age and in the age of rockets?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

The hon. Gentleman should bear in mind that it is not only global war which may come, but there may be limited wars, and the cold war still continues. These vessels play a very worth-while part in these types of war.