§ 15. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what role is planned for H.M.S. "Hermes" after 1970.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo decision has yet been taken about the future of H.M.S. "Hermes" after she has been phased out of her fixed wing flying task.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesWithout some ships to carry aircraft to protect the Fleet at sea, for what purpose will the command facilities in the new cruisers be used?
§ Mr. MorrisWe have canvassed this matter on a number of occasions. It will be important to have command facilities. The helicopters, the co-ordination with the fleet submarines and other ships—all these will make it necessary to have a command ship.
§ Mr. RipponIf no decision has yet been taken, how can the hon. Gentleman say that it is nonsense for the Opposition to suggest that they might still have a rôle?
§ Mr. MorrisWhat I said was that the Opposition's policy for the carriers is nonsense. I also emphasised that there are three possibilities for the carriers. They are, as I said earlier to the right hon. and learned Gentleman, to scrap them, to sell them or to give them a new rôle. Each of these possibilities is still open. I said this in reply to an earlier question, and I wish that the right hon. and learned Gentleman had been listening.