HC Deb 20 March 1973 vol 853 cc226-7
21. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the subject matter of the lectures given by the Royal Navy presentation team had received his approval.

Mr. Buck

The subject matter was approved by my predecessor.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Yes, but as the whole theme was the importance of the defence of our overseas trade routes, and as none of the Ministers' speeches in the recent defence debate referred to the matter, will my hon. Friend assure the House that he will rectify that omission in tomorrow's debate?

Mr. Buck

I shall deal with this matter, with the leave of the House, tomorrow. My hon. and gallant Friend has drawn attention to one of the main reasons— namely, the need to guard the trade routes —for having a powerful and balanced fleet which the Government and many hon. Members on the Opposition benches wish to have.

Mr. Judd

Will the Minister accept that reliable reports suggest that, while the work of this team has been stimulating, there is a thin dividing line between the presentation of information and the advocacy of certain policies which may be controversial? Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to watch that carefully?

Mr. Buck

I shall watch the performance of the new team which will go into action. I have no doubt that it will live up to the high standards of the past team. The presentation for keeping the balance was largely on the Navy, but interestingly enough it took place at the RAF Club.

Mr. Adley

Does my hon. Friend agree that perhaps the greatest contribution which the Navy could make to develop trade would be to place an order for the Harrier, so that Hawker Siddeley salesmen around the world would be able to say that the British Navy was now a customer?

Mr. Buck

I went up in the Harrier two weeks ago and was very impressed with it. We are hoping that the project definition studies will soon be finalised and that we can reach a decision about this matter.

Mr. Dalyell

Could the Minister be a little clearer when he tells the House that the presentations were approved by his predecessors? Does this mean that they were rubber-stamped or do Ministers actually see these things? What does he mean by "approved"?

Mr. Buck

A draft is submitted and we look through it and say "That is fine". In this case, it appeared to be fine and it was approved. If, on the other hand, the draft submitted by the Navy—I would think this very unlikely—was not right in all particulars, we would attempt to correct it.

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