§ 18. Mr. Humphrey Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that land-based aircraft will be able to provide the same or greater protection to Army operations in areas where this protection is at present afforded by Royal Naval aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HealeyI am satisfied that, in the post-carrier era, the land-based aircraft then in service will be able to provide adequate protection for Army operations in the areas in which we are likely to accept commitments.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes not this Answer nullify the value of the commando ships and assault ships which the right hon. Gentleman said, in the Defence Review, would greatly strengthen our forces?
§ Mr. HealeyOf course it does not. We made it clear in the Defence White Paper that we did not propose to make assault landings against sophisticated air attack in areas beyond the range of our own land-based aircraft. Of course, there are many potential areas of operation where the amphibious forces will be of great value under these conditions.