H.M.S. "Ark Royal"

HC Deb 02 February 1955 vol 536 c127W

Mr. Page

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the fleet carrier H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will be accepted into service.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

H.M.S. "Ark Royal" will be provisionally accepted from the shipbuilder on 25th February, 1955. She is the sister ship of H.M.S. "Eagle," and is one of the two largest units of the post-war fleet. The "Ark Royal" will be able to operate all the types of high performance aircraft which will come into service, and will incorporate a number of important new features. She is the first operational ship of the Royal Navy to be fitted with steam catapults.