HC Deb 22 June 1966 vol 730 cc563-4
17. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he is making for surface-to-surface guided weapons for the Royal Navy.

25. Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he is making to develop, produce or buy surface-to-surface guided weapons with ranges of more than 15 miles.

Mr. Healey

I am considering the Navy's need for weapons of this kind, and how to meet that need, in the light of the Defence Review decisions.

Mr. Goodhew

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, by taking away the Navy's ability to see and strike beyond the horizon, he has left it in a very vulnerable position, and surface-to-surface missiles are therefore most important?

Mr. Healey

I agree that surface-to-surface missiles may be an important way of filling the gap left by the phasing out of carriers in 1975. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the Navy does not lose the capabilities to which he refers for at least another nine years.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

Could the right hon. Gentleman assure us that, as he has assassinated the carriers, he will attack with some vigour the question of finding an alternative surface-to-surface missile for the defence of ships? Would he make a statement to the House as early as possible explaining what is being done, because there must be great anxiety among all those who wish to see our ships, both civil and naval, properly defended?

Mr. Healey

The right hon. Gentleman had some responsibility in a Govern- ment which failed to order a new carrier for the Royal Navy over a period of 13 years. It is not for him to talk about assassination. But I will ensure that the Royal Navy has the weapons that it needs to carry out the tasks required of it.

Mr. Goodhew

Since the right hon. Gentleman has himself stated in his defence review that it takes 10 years to produce a new weapon, is it not time that he got on with it? He is admitting today that the aircraft carriers will be finishing in nine years.

Mr. Healey

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that my colleagues have got on with it.