§ 1. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement as to the lessons which have been learnt as the result of exercise "Coral Sands".
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Denis Healey)Since the exercise involved the combined Services of four nations it will be some time before the final report, from which the lessons will be drawn, is completed, but initial impressions suggest that the exercise was a success and provided valuable practice in the co-ordination of combined forces.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the report by The Times correspondent, which brings out clearly the fact that aircraft carriers are essential to any British action to assist 375 Australia in this area? In those circum stances will he reconsider his decision to scrap in 1972 all the carriers—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. There is another Question on aircraft carriers.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter—all the carriers, including the "Ark Royal", on which the right hon. Gentleman is at present spending £30 million?
§ Mr. HealeyThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that I am not responsible for the views of The Times correspondent, or any other newspaper correspondent.