§ 2. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of surface-to-surface weapon systems for the Royal Navy.
§ The Minister of Defence for Equipment (Mr. John Morris)We are developing an improved 4.5-inch gun, which will have a better performance than existing guns of this calibre. The Seadart surface-to-air missile system, which is also under development, will have a useful surface-to-surface capability.
§ Mr. WallThe Minister's reply shows that there is no such development. Can he explain how he can protect British shipping out of range of land bases against attack from modern Soviet destroyers when carriers have been phased out?
§ Mr. MorrisWe have traversed this ground on innumerable occasions. I set out the case explicitly in the last defence debate.