§ 21. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of State for Defence when he proposes to proceed with the building of HMS "Newcastle" on the Tyne at Swan Hunters.
§ Lord BalnielPrefabrication work is already in hand and it is planned to lay the keel of this vessel within the next few months.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I thank my noble Friend for that very satisfactory answer and say how delighted and proud the north of England will be that we are to have a new HMS "Newcastle"? May she sail the seas with the credit that that name always has earned for many years.
§ Lord BalnielI am grateful to my hon. Friend for those words. May I reciprocate by assuring her that the Royal Navy is very proud once again to have a ship bearing the name HMS "Newcastle".
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesOn a point of order. The Serjeant at Arms is blushing.