§ 13. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the amphibious warfare forces.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Frank Judd)I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1975, and to what I said in the Navy Debate on 9th July.
§ Mr. WallCan the Minister assure us that when the cuts already announced have become effective, we shall still have an effective amphibious force and that there is still a NATO role for it, particularly on the flanks of the alliance?
§ Mr. JuddWe have a full and important rôle for our amphibious forces, although at a reduced level, particularly on the northern flank, where they have already demonstrated their effectiveness with considerable success in exercises with the Norwegian forces.
§ Mr. TrotterCan the Minister explain how the forces are to operate when "Bulwark" is scrapped and "Hermes" converted to an anti-submarine rôle? Will the new through-deck cruisers have an amphibious capability and has he considered commandeering or requisitioning cross-Channel steamers to carry the marines in future?
§ Mr. Judd"Hermes" will continue to have a secondary rôle as a commando carrier. "Fearless" and "Intrepid" still have a long and useful life ahead of them. We are always examining ways in which we can raise alternative means of shipping to ensure maximum flexibility in the deployment of our NATO forces.