§ 5. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure in his review of defence expenditure, that the requirements of the Royal Navy's hydrographic service are adequately met.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Frank Judd)As I explained to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Archer) on 3rd May, 1974, the requirements of the Royal Navy's hydrographic service, the importance of which is fully recognised, are being considered as part of the review of defence expenditure.—[Vol. 872, c. 556–7.]
§ Miss FookesDoes not the Minister realise that that is what I am afraid of? Will he recognise that this service should be strengthened rather than weakened?
§ Mr. JuddThe increased size of vessels and new shipping patterns present new problems for the hydrographer. But these involve questions of priority—and that is, of course, exactly what the defence review is all about.