§ 3. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on modernisation of type 42 destroyers and future plans in this respect.
§ The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Peter Blaker)As was explained in the recent White Paper on the defence programme, we shall not be proceeding with plans for the major mid-life modernisation of the type 42s. They will continue to receive normal refits.
§ Mr. FarrIs my hon. Friend absolutely sure that it is the right decision to cut off the mid-life modernisation of the valuable type 42 destroyers? Does he not feel that it 149 would be more appropriate gradually to phase it out? Fewer implications would be involved for the work force by doing that than by simply cutting it off.
§ Mr. BlakerThe matter was gone into in our debate on the White Paper, and it might arise in tomorrow's debate. But my hon. Friend should consider the total concept of the Government's maritime policies. I expect that the type 42s will still be in service in the late 1990s.
§ Mr. George RobertsonIf there is to be no mid-life modernisation or replacement of the type 42s and the Government are to keep to their NATO commitment of 50 ships, clearly, by the mid-1980s, they will have to start ordering at least three of the new type 23 ships each year. Since no orders have yet been placed even for those ships that were announced in the recent statement, will the Government be content to sit back, as British shipyards close, and dither about a decision on future shipbuilding orders?
§ Mr. BlakerOf course we are not sitting back. We have given the commitment. My right hon. Friend was explicit about maintaining 50 vessels, and we shall do what is necessary to maintain that commitment.
§ Sir Patrick WallIs it not a fact that the earlier vessels of the class had to have their hulls lengthened by some 40ft to improve their sea-keeping qualities? Is that very important modification not now to be carried out?
§ Mr. BlakerAs I understand it, no.