HC Deb 30 November 1964 vol 703 cc21-2
28. Mr. Channon

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for increasing the size of the Royal Navy.

Mr. Healey

I shall not frame proposals affecting the size of our forces until our review of defence policy as a whole has been completed.

Mr. Channon

Is the Secretary of State aware—I am sure he is—that the Prime Minister made some very interesting suggestions for increasing the size of the Royal Navy—by a curious chance at Plymouth and Chatham? If these proposals should be implemented, which I am sure we all wish to see, the cost of the Royal Navy will go up rather than down.

Mr. Healey

The hon. Member will be aware that since the Labour Party was last in power the number of cruisers has decreased from 15 to two, the number of carriers from nine to four and the number of escort craft from 95 to 71. I can assure the House that the present Government will have a far better record concerning the Royal Navy than the last Government had.

Mr. Thorneycroft

Can the right hon. Gentleman quite simply say if he proposes to honour the pledge given by the Prime Minister to increase the size of the Royal Navy?

Mr. Healey

I cannot anticipate my statement on the review of defence policy and commitments now under way.

Mr. Michael Foot

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that his Answer reveals that Her Majesty's patriotic Opposition is much more eager to increase the size of the Spanish Navy than the British?

Mr. McMaster

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to this Question and to part of Question 23, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again.

Mr. Speaker

It should be related to one Question only or we get into a muddle. It will have to be related to the last one.