Royal Navy (Hansard, 15 June 1976)

§ 1. Mr. Lane
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he remains satisfied that the strength of the Royal Navy will be adequate for the discharge of Great Britain's defence responsibilities during the next few years.

§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr A. E. P. Duffy)
Yes Sir.

§ Mr. Lane
On the morrow of the closure of HMS "Ganges", in which a number of us did our initial training, is not the Minister worried that the total manpower and womanpower of the Royal Navy—about 68,000—is now at it lowest level since the latter part of the nineteenth century? Is the Minister satisfied that that is adequate for Britain to fulfil her responsibility in the face of the growing 284 Soviet naval threat, particularly in submarines?

§ Mr. Duffy
It is 100 years since we had a comparable figure but no meaningful comparisons can be made between the capabilities of the Navy 100 years ago and today. We do not settle for that. Measures are in hand to improve the Navy's capabilities with the introduction of new ships and equipment to keep pace with improvements in the Warsaw Pact's wartime capabilities.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell
Will my hon. Friend resist pressures, from whatever source, and ensure that there is no further reduction in the naval shipbuilding programme?

§ Mr. Duffy
So far as it rests with me. I shall certainly do that.

§ Mr. Townsend
Will the Minister assure the House that he is fully aware of the implications of the new exclusive economic zone and the patrolling problems that will result for the Royal Navy? Will they not require additional vessels?

§ Mr. Duffy
Yes. That has been put in hand. The House debated the issue only a few hours ago, and I can tell hon. Members that a new Island class of 12 ships is in hand. The first was laid down earlier this year and it is intended that all will be completed within two years and be in operation very soon afterwards.