§ 23. Mr. Wallasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty when the first of the Polaris submarines will be laid down, and when she is expected to be launched.
§ Mr. HayWork on the first Polaris submarine has made a good start and construction is going according to plan. The submarine is expected to be laid down early next year. It is not the practice to give notice well in advance of the dates of launching warships being built for the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. WallThe time taken to construct "Valiant" was a considerable improvement on the time taken to construct "Dreadnought". Will my hon. Friend see that this improvement is continued in the building of the new Polaris submarines?
§ Mr. HayI hope that we can give that assurance, although Polaris boats are rather more complex than hunter-killers.