§ Mr. Bottomleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the cost of keeping H.M.S. "Vanguard" in reserve.
§ Mr. SoamesI would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor on 7th March, 1956, to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson).
§ Mr. Bottomleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what ships of the Royal Navy are held in reserve; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. SoamesI would refer the right hon. Member to the list given in my right hon. and noble Friend's Explanatory Statement on Navy Estimates, 1956–57 (Cmd. 9697). Revised figures of ships in reserve will be published in the Explanatory Statement on the Navy Estimates for 1957–58 which is not yet completed. The Reserve Fleet is maintained for the normal purpose of replacing ships of the Active Fleet which for any reason become casualties and for augmenting the naval forces in emergency.