§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation has been made of the practicability of making use of container vessels or other merchant ships as helicopter platforms for antisubmarine warfare.
§ Mr. SpeedThe United States Navy is undertaking studies into the rapid adaptation of container ships to the operation of ASW helicopters. The Royal Navy has taken a close interest in this project, called "ARAPAHO", and the possibility of RN participation in its trial stage is being discussed with the United States authorities.
The possibilities of using merchant ships for defence purposes are being explored by the Royal Navy and merchant navies.