§ 5. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the future size and shape of the Royal Navy as a result of the deliberations of the Future Fleet Requirements Committee.
§ 14. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government decisions regarding the report of the Future Fleet Committee.
§ 19. Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a statement on the future of the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. HealeyAs stated in paragraph 42 of Chapter I of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1967, final decisions on the shape and size of our defence forces in the 1970s must await the outcome of discussions with our partners in N.A.T.O.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingIs it not true that on 7th March last year the right hon. Gentleman said that the major decisions considering our Armed Forces had now been taken? We are now told that there is to be a new level of Armed Forces and a new shape to the Royal Navy. Did not this Committee report in August last year? When will the right hon. Gentleman come before the House and give the facts about the future shape, size and commitments of the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. HealeyAs the hon. Gentleman knows, because I sent him the relevant extract from HANSARD, in the same paragraph as I said that the major decisions had been taken, I indicated that there would be some adjustment downwards in the level of all three armed Services.
The size and shape of the Royal Navy in the future is a matter which has required, as has the size and shape of all three armed Services, not only detailed discussions inside the Ministry but with our allies. As soon as I am in a position to give the outcome of all those considerations, I will do so.
§ Mr. WallIs the Minister proposing to publish a White Paper on the future of the Royal Navy before the end of this Session? Will he bear in mind that the vessel most required by the Foreign Secretary in the current rash of crises is the aircraft carrier, which he proposes to eliminate?
§ Mr. HealeyI will consider whether or not to include a statement on the future of the Royal Navy in the next White Paper on defence which I publish, whenever I publish it.
As to the value of the carrier, I have never denied that the carrier represents an immensely valuable capability in Her Majesty's Forces, and I propose to make the best possible use of it so long as we have it. At the same time, as the House debated thoroughly last year, I do not believe that we should have been justified in building a new carrier and seeking to prolong the life of our carrier force beyond 1975 in the light of the likely reduction in our commitments in that period and the fact that a carrier's jobs can be done almost as well and a great deal more cheaply by other means.
§ Mr. HamlingCan my right hon. Friend say what steps he is taking to 70 provide for the Royal Navy the cheaper frigates which have recently been announced in certain yards?
§ Mr. HealeyI am afraid that my hon. Friend must await a further announcement on that matter. I recognise the need for producing the most cost-effective vessels for the Royal Navy, and I have that consideration very much in mind.
§ Mr. PowellIs it not ironic that, 15 months after the House was told that the major decisions had been taken following the Government's much vaunted Defence Review, the size and shape of all our forces is in greater uncertainty today than ever before?
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir. The imagination boggles to think of the uncertainty which would have been created if the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) had been the Secretary of State for Defence and in dispute with every member of his own Front Bench on what our defence policy should be.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the only type of base which can be removed without capital loss when local conditions become unfavourable is the aircraft carrier, and reapply that to his future thinking?
§ Mr. HealeyWe have debated this matter at great length on many occasions, and the House has come to the conclusion that the Government's policy is right.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesWill the Secretary of State help us by saying by what means he thinks that the present rôle fulfilled by the aircraft carrier can be performed more effectively and cheaply?
§ Mr. HealeyMr. Speaker, you would probably call me to order if I sought to repeat the speeches which I made in the last two debates and which, as I said, received the approval of the House.