HL Deb 30 July 1963 vol 252 cc1059-62

3.41 p.m.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I think it might be for the convenience of your Lordships if at this moment I repeated a statement which has been made by my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence in another place.

The Government have had the question of aircraft carriers under consideration with a view to determining the requirement for the 1970s. After full consideration it has been decided that the carrier force likely to be required during that period is three carriers. The life of H.M.S. "Eagle" and H.M.S. "Hermes" can, with refits, be extended until about 1980. H.M.S. "Victorious" and H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will come to the end of their useful lives in the early 1970s. A decision has therefore been taken to build one carrier replacement. This ship will be of around 50,000 tons and will give us, with H.M.S. "Eagle" and "Hermes", a force of three carriers. This decision will ensure that the Fleet Air Arm can maintain its rôle at least until 1980.

I have also had under consideration an aircraft replacement for the Sea Vixen. I am now able to announce that the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have reached agreement on the characteristics of a common aircraft which will replace both the Sea Vixen and the Hunter. This aircraft, which will be capable of operation either from land or from carriers, will greatly increase the flexibility of our use of air power and provide the opportunity for economies in its disposition. The aircraft will be based on the Hawker P.1154, and a detailed study is at this moment proceeding. As soon as this is complete I will take steps to inform your Lordships of the result.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I am obliged to the First Lord of the Admiralty for giving us the Minister's statement. I think it is wise to look forward, and it seems that the Minister is looking forward, but I regret to see that this means a cutting of the strength of the aircraft carrier force proper from four to three. It is a long way ahead to take such a decision as that, especially in view of the developments in characteristics of weapons which might mean, in the end, a wider use of the aircraft carrier class. I hope that due attention has been given to that aspect. There is also no indication in this statement of the approximate date of changing from the Sea Vixens and the Hunters to the new aircraft. Can the First Lord give us that information?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, taking the noble Earl's second question first, the Sea Vixen will need to be replaced in the early 1970s, and the Hunter a little earlier. With regard to his first question, there will, of course, be four fleet carriers until the early '70s, and the decision that I have just announced has been taken, as the noble Lord will realise, after a great deal of discussion and balancing of all the factors—strategic, technological and economic. In so far as the decision ensures the future of the Fleet Air Arm until 1980, I think that it is a very satisfactory decision indeed.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I hope that this is not a sort of final shutdown upon the number of aircraft carriers of great endurance that we are likely to have in certain circumstances. I hope that the matter will remain open, in view of the changing characteristics of weapons.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, of course everything is always open, and no decision is irrevocable. But the decision taken by the Government now means that it will be possible to deploy two carriers east of Suez most of the time; and that is, I think, a very important decision for the Government to have taken.

LORD REA

My Lords, I should like to add my thanks, to the First Lord of the Admiralty. It seems to me that there will still be about seventeen years in which to make further decisions, if some further modification should be necessary. Of course this is very much a matter for the experts, and it would be impertinent for a layman to butt into such a very important decision, but there is just one point I should like to ask. Can the First Lord give an approximate estimate of the cost of building this one carrier?

LORD CARRINGTON

Yes, my Lords. The cost of the ship itself will be about £60 million.

LORD TEYNHAM

My Lords, arising out of the reply of the First Lord of the Admiralty, I should like to say how delighted I am that the building of a new Fleet carrier is shortly to be commenced. I observe that the main striking force of the Fleet is based on the task force, with the carrier as its centrepiece, and with the new aircraft increasing the strength of our present carriers. Would the noble Lord not agree that, in view of the possible closing down of a number of our foreign bases, a movable one becomes of the utmost importance for the defence of this country?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, nobody—not even the noble Lord—is more delighted than I am; and I agree with every word that he has said.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, could my noble friend give some idea of when orders for this new carrier, and the components and so on, will begin to filter through to the engineering and shipbuilding industry?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, orders will begin to build up fairly soon, and the ship will be completed about 1971. They take a very long time to build, as they are very big ships.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, can the First Lord give us—or is it too soon to say—any indication of where she is likely to be built?

LORD CARRINGTON

No, my Lords. But all the shipbuilders who are capable of building aircraft carriers will have an equal chance of tendering for her.