§ 13. Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what alteration is planned in the programme of construction of nuclear-powered hunter/ killer submarines.
§ 39. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the rate of construction of hunter/killer submarines proposed before and since the decision announced in Command Paper No. 3515.
§ Mr. MasonThe rate of build of nuclear hunter/killer submarines is now under consideration. The current new construction programme for these submarines remains as stated in my Answer of 14th December.—[Vol. 756, c. 231.]
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesIs it not a strange priority to cut this programme, remembering that the White Paper describes these submarines as being the main striking power of the Navy for the future?
§ Mr. MasonAlthough the rate of construction may be altered, I said on 14th December that the Forces would continue to grow, but we may consider the numbers.
§ Mr. PowellIf we are not to be told the previous intended rate of construction, and the rate of construction now intended, how is the country and this House to judge the consequence of the Government's decision? Or did they not know what the consequences were before they took the decision?
§ Mr. MasonI think that the statement about slowing down new naval construction will be made much clearer when my right hon. Friend makes his statement later this year.