§ 36. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will substitute vertical take-off and landing aircraft for types now used on aircraft carriers in order that a greater number of smaller carriers may be used than at present, and that a too great proportion of the striking power of the Royal Navy should not be concentrated in too few and too expensive ships.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThe use of some V.T.O.L. aircraft was taken into account in the design studies of the next generation aircraft carriers. Nevertheless, the main factors which determine the size of the ship are the dimensions and number of the aircraft to be embarked and the number of men to fly and maintain them. In this context, the length of the runway is relatively unimportant.
§ Mr. MallalieuIs not the length of the runway important in this matter? If one were able to have ships without the length necessary for a runway, would not one have far more of them, and would not this spread the risks in a desirable manner?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI concede that it is one of the factors, but—I give this example—a 40,000-ton aircraft carrier 933 will carry only half the number of aircraft that a 50,000-ton aircraft carrier will take owing to the size of the hangar, which is a more dominant factor than the length of runway.
§ Mr. WillisWhat is the tonnage of the proposed new aircraft carrier replacement?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingApproximately 50,000 tons.
§ Commander CourtneyWill my hon. Friend confirm that the present generation of vertical take-off aircraft are not sufficient in performance for the type of military duties required as are high performance aircraft which can operate only from large carriers?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend is thinking of the limited production of 1127 aircraft, whereas I was thinking in terms of the 1154 or its development.