HC Deb 18 December 1968 vol 775 cc1379-80
36. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the increase over the past year of Russian naval strength in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, he is satisfied as to the adequacy of the present United Kingdom naval shipbuilding programme to meet Great Britain's immediate future maritime defence requirements and contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's revised naval dispositions; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Morris

As has already been announced, work is going ahead on the new classes of surface ships—the frigates, destroyers and cruisers—which the Royal Navy will require in the 1970s, and the order for the first destroyer has just been placed. Our eighth nuclear-powered Fleet submarine will be ordered early next year. The rate at which these ships will be built will depend on the review, on which we are now engaged, of the forces which we should contribute to N.A.T.O. after the withdrawal from east of Suez and the consequent run-down are complete. This review will take full account of the developments to which the Question refers.

Mr. McMaster

While again thanking the Minister for that careful reply, may I ask him whether he does not agree that as the principal maritime nation in N.A.T.O. we have a particular burden in this respect? Will he not take all steps, in view of the statement already made at Question Time about the increase in the Soviet Navy, to expedite this matter, because time is not on our side?

Mr. Morris

I am grateful to the hon. Member. As he is aware, the Royal Navy is already contributing more ships to N.A.T.O. than any other European Power. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State referred to the operational factors earlier. I would remind the House that the total value of ships now on order, under construction or being tendered for runs to hundreds of millions of £s.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Why in all this discussion about the Mediterranean does the Minister turn a blind eye, like Horatio Nelson, to the fact that the biggest Power in the Mediterranean is the United States of America, which has two aircraft carriers there, able to carry nuclear weapons to the U.S.S.R., and 50 other warships. Instead of playing about with the arms race in the Mediterranean, will the Minister not return to Hugh Gaitskell's policy of a nuclear-free zone in the Mediterranean instead of an arms race?

Mr. Morris

I am sure that my hon. Friend will accept it from me that I am not playing about with an arms race. All that my right hon. Friend is seeking to ensure is that we have the ships available to defend the interests of this country and that they are in the right operational command.