§ Q23. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement concerning the request made by the Prime Minister of New Zealand to Her Majesty's Government for a frigate for the New Zealand Navy.
§ The Prime MinisterAs announced on 30th March, we have aranged to hire H.M.S. "Blackpool" to the Royal New Zealand Navy for four or five years. We plan to hand her over at Chatham on 7th June. She is similar to ships already in service in the Royal New Zealand Navy, and will enable them to maintain their valuable contribution to Commonwealth naval strength in the Far East.