§ 46. Sir Patrick Wallasked the Secretary of Stale for Defence if he will reconsider his original plans for cutting the destroyer and frigate force of the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NottI refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the White Paper I have published today, and on which I made a statement in the House this afternoon. By running on destroyers and frigates which, under previous plans, would either have been disposed of or have been placed in the standby squadron we intend to maintain total numbers at about 55 front-line ships at April 1983 and 1984. Our longer term plans remain under review.