H.M.S. "Eagle" (Hansard, 16 March 1972)

§ 30. Mr. Warren
asked the Minister of State for Defence when the break-up of H.M.S. "Eagle" will be started and completed.

§ Lord Balniel
As stated by my right hon. and noble Friend in another place on 9th March, a decision on when to dispose of "Eagle" for scrap will probably not be taken before the end of 1973. Some of her equipment is earmarked to support "Ark Royal".

§ Mr. Warren
Will my hon. Friend be prepared to place some restraint on this programme in order to give the air cover that the Navy must have until the through-deck cruisers arrive and which the Royal Air Force manifestly cannot satisfy?

§ Lord Balniel
The decision has been taken after very full consideration of all the issues involved—the cost of the refit, the need to adapt "Eagle" to operate Phantoms, and the problem of manpower, which is equivalent to the ships' companies of five frigates. This must be weighed against the manpower that will be needed to operate the new vessels coming into service and the new naval weapons.

§ Dr. David Owen
Is the noble Lord aware that he and the Government are to be congratulated on this decision, which they have taken despite the vehemence of their perorations in defence debate after defence debate in the years when they were in opposition? They have now seen the sensible decision, that to carry on H.M.S. "Eagle" as they themselves proposed would be prohibitively expensive, and they are to be congratulated on changing their minds.

§ Lord Balniel
When the hon. Gentleman congratulates the Government we always have to re-examine a programme with the utmost care. This we have done, and this re-examination has confirmed the decision which we had already reached.