HC Deb 26 October 1960 vol 627 cc278-9W
Dr. Bennett

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the nature of the trouble with the gun-turrets and control gear of H.M.S. "Lion" and "Tiger"; how long these difficulties have been apparent to the officers and men working them; and in what year the construction of these turrets was sanctioned.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

H.M.S. "Tiger" has been having difficulty in achieving sustained bursts of fire with her 6" guns. We know the cause of the trouble and have made plans to rectify it during the "Tiger's" first refit which starts in a few days' time. H.M.S. "Lion's" guns are being modified in the light of experience with the "Tiger". The 3" guns are satisfactorily delivering a very high rate of fire.

H.M.S. "Tiger's" officers and ratings have been hard at work an her gunnery problems since she first commissioned in June, 1959. I would like to acknowledge the skill of all those who have worked so well to overcome the teething troubles with the 3" armament and to find the cure for the 6" armament.

The decision to place the production order for 3" and 6" mountings was taken in:1949. It was taken in the knowledge that a great deal of development work remained to be done.