§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Phantom air defence squadrons are at present wholly assigned to SACLANT for a maritime role; and how many will be so assigned after the Royal Navy squadron on HMS "Ark Royal" is disbanded after the ship is scrapped.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe answer to both parts of the Question is "Two"; but there will be a short delay after HMS "Ark Royal" pays off before a second RAF squadron is assigned to SACLANT to replace the RN squadron.