HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 c773
16. Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether in view of the strategic significance of the North Sea oil and natural gas fields and their vulnerability to sabotage during periods of international tension, he will ensure that the Royal Navy develops the underwater capability needed to defend them.

Mr. Kirk

I am satisfied that the Royal Navy's underwater capability, which is under continuous development, will be adequate to meet this particular task if the need arises.

Mr. Reed

Whilst thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that this country now shares a common frontier with eight other European countries, including Spain? Would not he agree that the fact that we can now occupy and utilise the sea floor adds an entirely new dimension to naval warfare?

Mr. Kirk

It does indeed.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that a single depth charge from a hostile submarine—and the Soviets have ten times as many operational submarines as we have— could destroy the whole of the means of transportation of all natural gas from the North Sea to this country?

Mr. Kirk

That thought is very much in our minds and that is why we are taking this matter very seriously.