HC Deb 25 February 1971 vol 812 c228W
Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the naval construction programme for this year.

Mr. Kirk

The main features of the naval construction programme are described in Chapter II of the 1971 Statement on Defence Estimates. Three major warships will be accepted into service in 1971, the two nuclear powered fleet submarines, H.M.S. "Conqueror" and H.M.S. "Courageous", and the Leander Class frigate H.M.S. "Diomede". Work will continue on three more nuclear powered fleet submarines, and on the final stages of building the Type 82 destroyer, H.M.S. "Bristol". The first Sea Dart destroyer, H.M.S. "Sheffield", will be launched, and progress will be made on the construction of four Amazon Class frigates and the last two frigates of the Leander Class. Orders placed in 1971 may include further destroyers and frigates, as well as another nuclear-powered fleet submarine.