HC Deb 07 November 1962 vol 666 cc955-6
15. Mr. J. Harvey

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what further information he has concerning the breakdown of the gas turbine in H.M.S. "Ashanti"; and when she will be resuming her unfulfilled programme.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

"Ashanti's" gas turbine has been stripped and the main components removed to the maker's works. An examination is being carried out in close consultation with the Admiralty and the National Gas Turbine Establishment. The detailed results of this investigation are awaited but it is expected that "Ashanti" will be fully operational early in the New Year.

Mr. Harvey

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a report in the Sunday Telegraphof 7th October which suggested that the principal cause of the trouble was metal fatigue—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] I am reading from the report, and I am asking my hon. Friend whether he has seen it. The report further suggested that economies had been made in the specification at the instigation of the Admiralty. Is my hon. Friend in a position to comment on either of these points?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

No, Sir. I must wait until the detailed—

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is not in order to ask a Minister to comment on a Press report for which he is not responsible.

Mr. Willis

Does not the Civil Lord think that this is very strange? This boat was prepared for special demonstrations in the United States and Canada, and I should have thought that it would receive special attention, examination in preparation. In spite of that, it appears to have proved a wash-out on its first voyage.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

It was prepared for demonstrations because the Americans have shown tremendous interest in this very novel form of propulsion. The fact that we have had teething trouble with the first prototype does not show any lack of confidence or imperfection in the basic design. I have every confidence that this particular design of gas turbine "Tribal" frigate will prove eminently suitable.

Mr. Willis

Surely the teething trouble should have been sorted out before the boat ventured on a demonstration trip to America and Canada.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

It was while she was under power at the maximum rate and for the maximum length of time that a fault occurred in the gas turbine blading. I do not think that that is to be unexpected in a novel form of propulsion.