§ 15. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Defence why he has agreed to 18 months as the period for his experiment in a mixed-manned force.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe period has been agreed by the countries considering the mixed-manned surface ship proposal as a result of military advice tendered to them.
§ Mr. RankinCould not we have acquired in three months all the knowledge we need regarding the workability of the mixed-manned force? Did the right hon. Gentleman accept 18 months without demur because that period placed this important issue beyond the ambit of an election and because the 1186 Cabinet themselves on this issue have become a mixed-manned force in which no two speak the same language?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI did not fix the period; it was fixed by military advice to an international committee meeting to consider these matters. Whatever else I have done, I do not think that I could have cut it down from 18 months to three.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman saying that on every occasion the advice of the military experts is always accepted without question by himself and his colleagues in the Cabinet?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThis advice was not even tendered to me; it was tendered to an international committee.