HC Deb 30 January 1963 vol 670 cc929-30
33. Commander Courtney

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty when it is now expected that Her Majesty's Submarine "Dreadnought" will join the Fleet.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing)

Her Majesty's Submarine "Dreadnought" will join the Fleet formally in April. Thereafter, she will undergo a series of trials, and may also participate in certain operational exercises before becoming fully operational next year.

Commander Courtney

May I refer my hon. Friend to previous replies on this matter? In view of the fact that we had a complete set of propulsion machinery from the Americans, why does it take twice the time in this country to get the submarine into service that it takes in the United States?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I concede that it has taken very much longer, but this is to this country an entirely novel and original form of vessel and propulsion machinery, and I think it not unreasonable that she should undergo considerable first-of-class trials before she joins the Fleet. It is true that I said that I hoped that she would join the Fleet in the present financial year. April is not far out from the present financial year.