§ 6. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies are being made of flat tops operating vertical or short take-off aircraft.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Dr. David Owen)Trials have demonstrated that vertical or short take-off aircraft could operate from the existing aircraft carriers and commando ships and that VTOL aircraft could take-off and land on the "Tiger" Class cruisers after conversion. Design studies of the new surface ships will, of course, take account of developments which may occur during their life in aircraft as in other weapons systems.
§ Mr. WallAfter the Secretary of State's remarks about the Mediterranean, can the hon. Gentleman explain how British shipping interests in the Indian Ocean can be defended without aircraft carriers? Will he at least go so far as to maintain "Hermes", "Ark Royal" and "Eagle" in service until the mid-1970s?
§ Dr. OwenThat goes wider than the Question on the Order Paper. We have conducted successful trials from carriers, but no decision has been taken about the future of these ships beyond 1972.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the failure of design staffs at present, can my hon. Friend assure us that, both in sea work and air work, the design staffs concerned will match up to the need?
§ Dr. OwenThe Harrier is a first-class aircraft and has VTOL capability, and we are surveying the possibility of its use in small ships.
§ Mr. RipponWill the hon. Gentleman be more specific about the studies being made of a new generation of aircraft carriers for this purpose, whether he describes them as "flat tops" or "mini-carriers", or whatever?
§ Dr. OwenWe have no plans for designing a ship for the specific purpose of operating VTOL aircraft.