HC Deb 11 February 1971 vol 811 c776
21. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will take steps to increase the Royal Navy's light coastal forces.

Mr. Kirk

Three fast training boats are being introduced into service now. Future requirements of the Royal Navy for light coastal vessels will be kept under review.

Mr. Wall

Would my hon. Friend agree that from 1930 until about five years ago this country was a world leader in this type of vessel but that now we have only three target vessels? Would he look at some more up-to-date private enterprise designs to see whether they might be made available to the Royal Navy?

Mr. Kirk

As my hon. Friend knows, we have hired "Tenacity" from Vosper Thorneycroft and we intend to evaluate the effect of it.