HC Deb 21 July 1965 vol 716 cc1569-71
30. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the results of his defence review, and in particular the decision on H.M.S. "Sea Eagle".

Mr. Healey

I cannot yet add to what was said on 15th July by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in answer to questions about the defence review generally, but I do expect a decision on H.M.S. "Sea Eagle" to be announced shortly.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Can we be told whether any of the decisions in this review will be announced before the House rises? If not, can we have an absolute assurance that no important decisions in this review will be announced while the House is in recess? Is the Secretary of State aware that the suggestion of the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) concerning a White Paper is one which commends itself to many members on this side of the House?

Mr. Healey

I am aware that there is some interest in that suggestion. On the question of the announcing of decisions, I cannot undertake not to take or announce a decision while the House is in recess, but so far as possible I will take any pending decisions in time to announce them to the House before it rises.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Is a decision on this question likely to be taken before the coming recess?

Mr. Healey

I cannot give a firm assurance one way or the other on that at the moment.

Commander Courtney

Will the Secretary of State give the House an assurance that in this rather complicated matter he will give absolute priority to the technical requirements of antisubmarine defence, which is the purpose of H.M.S. "Sea Eagle"?

Mr. Healey

Certainly the major considerations in the Government's mind are the operational advantages of the particular location of the anti-submarine training school. That will always have first priority. However, I do not think that on reflection the hon. and gallant Gentleman will want to give it an absolute priority and to ignore completely all other considerations.

Mr. Hay

Is the Secretary of State aware that there is a certain amount of disquiet, not only in Northern Ireland but elsewhere, about the whole question of the future of H.M.S. "Sea Eagle"? Would he give the House an undertaking that, if he proposes to come to a decision to close down H.M.S. "Sea Eagle", he will take the opportunity before the recess of announcing it in the House and give us the necessary opportunity to discuss or debate the matter?

Mr. Healey

Of course if it is possible to communicate a decision to the House before the recess I will do so, but I cannot hold up action which the Government have decided is in the national interest for three months if a decision is not possible until after the House has risen. I do not think the House as a whole would wish me to.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment as quickly as possible.