HC Deb 01 March 1967 vol 742 c480
5. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has now made for acceptance of the frigate built on the Clyde for Ghana

The Minister of Defence (Equipment) (Mr. Roy Mason)

None, Sir.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is it not a fact that this frigate was ordered by the then President Nkrumah as a status symbol for Ghana, like his bullet-proof car? As the frigate is being financed by British aid to Ghana, why should British taxpayers be called upon to finance what is virtually a floating gin palace?

Mr. Mason

The question that the hon. Gentleman poses is not at the moment in question. It will be another seven or eight months before the vessel is completed. Meanwhile we are trying to interest other countries in buying the frigate on behalf of the Ghana Government.

Sir G. Nabarro

I thought that it was a gin palace.