HL Deb 29 June 1949 vol 163 cc482-3

2.39 p.m.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are in a position to state what alterations have been decided upon in the composition of the Imperial Defence Forces in the Far East, and in particular with regard to aircraft carriers.]

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence recently visited the Far East to study the whole defence problem there, and on his return he announced in a statement in another place that His Majesty's Government had found it necessary to send additional reinforcements to Hong Kong. It is not in the public interest to announce the resultant alterations in the composition of the Imperial Defence Forces in the Far East, but I can say that naval reinforcements will include an aircraft carrier.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, in thanking the noble Viscount for his reply, may I ask him two further questions? First, with regard to the air strip at Hong Kong, will a second air strip be provided, or have we to depend upon one? Secondly, with regard to aircraft carriers, we have been told in the newspapers that H.M.S. "Triumph" is being sent to the Far East, and that H.M.S. "Ocean" has been withdrawn from the Mediterranean preparatory to going to the Far East as well, but apparently her air squadrons have been withdrawn from her. Will any aircraft carrier sent to the Far East be fully operational?

VISCOUNT HALL

I think the noble Earl would do better to listen to what I say, in preference to paying attention to what appears in the Press. There will be an aircraft carrier sent to the Far East. There will be one which will be operational. With regard to the noble Earl's first supplementary question, I do not think I can add anything to the reply I have already given.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I realise what the noble Viscount has said. I heard his answer about one aircraft carrier, but there is the question of a second. Can the noble Viscount tell us whether he considers that the Far Eastern Squadron is fully operational without two aircraft carriers which are at least 100 per cent. operational and have their aircraft squadrons abroad?

VISCOUNT HALL

My Lords, again I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the reply which I have already given in relation to an aircraft carrier.