HC Deb 19 February 1964 vol 689 cc1183-4
11. Mr. Willis

asked the Minister of Defence what effect the recent announcement on the lengthening of the life of the V-bomber force will have upon the Polaris programme.

12. Dr. Dickson Mabon

asked the Minister of Defence if, in view of his decision to extend the life of the V-bomber force, he will bring forward the hunter-killer submarine programme.

Mr. Thorneycroft

The answer to the former is None, Sir, and to the latter is No, Sir.

Mr. Willis

Yes, but if the V-bomber force is to remain a credible deterrent up to and into the 'seventies, does this not give an opportunity to the Government to rephase the Polaris programme in a manner which would avoid some of the problems in connection with skilled manpower and equipment in the Service which at present appear to be likely to arise?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No, Sir.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if there is a gap such as the Secretary of State for Air has indicated, he might have an opportunity of rephasing the hunter-killer programme, which would remove one of the big obstacles which the Minister mentioned previously to distributing properly and in the national interest orders for submarines throughout the various shipbuilding rivers of the country? Will not the right hon. Gentleman look at this matter more carefully so that we get, not only for defence reasons but for mercantile reasons, the advantage of building atomic-propelled submarines in the rivers of this country?

Mr. Thorneycroft

While I appreciate this support and also the importance which the hon. Gentleman attaches to bringing the V-bomber force up to date, I think our answer must be that we must try to keep all weapons systems as up-to-date and as viable as possible. But this does not justify us in scrapping the Polaris programme.

Mr. Willis

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Navy ships have already been laid up through lack of skilled manpower? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the First Lord concerning the position with regard to skilled manpower in the Navy at the present time?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I welcome the hon. Gentleman's reliance on the V-bombers, but the hon. Member should not overstress this point.