§ 63. Mr. Murtonasked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department hired the fast patrol boat "Ferocity" from a south coast shipbuilding firm.
§ Mr. FoleyThe "Ferocity" was required to replace a Royal Navy fast patrol boat which had to be withdrawn from an important trial at short notice.
§ Mr. MurtonIs it not a fantastic situation that we are now reduced to the state of having to rent boats?
§ Mr. FoleyIt was a question whether we should cancel an important exercise because of the failure of one boat and its not being available. We decided to improvise and to hire one. This is the first occasion it has happened, and I hope that it will never happen again.