HC Deb 06 February 1961 vol 634 cc10-1W
Captain Kerby

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why the cruiser H.M.S. "Swiftsure" is for disposal; and at what stage of her reconstruction this decision was taken.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing:

The expenditure necessary to bring H.M.S. "Swiftsure", which was first commissioned in 1944, up to the standard required of the modern Fleet would not have been justified. This decision was taken before any large amount of reconstruction had been undertaken.

Captain Kerby

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how much was spent in preparing H.M.S. "Swiftsure" for an extended refit in the period 1956 to 1959; and how much was spent on new constructional work abroad her.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing:

Expenditure irrevocably committed to the refit of H.M.S. "Swiftsure" amounted to just over £1 million. It is not feasible to divide this precisely between design, drawings, opening up, inspection and subsequent reconstruction. Well under a half fell within the last category.