§ Captain Kerbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the statement of the First Sea Lord at a recent Press conference that three cruisers of the Tiger class are sufficient to safeguard our carriers against attack from surface vessels was made with his authority; and if he will retain at least some of our existing cruisers such as the "Belfast", "Swiftsure", "Ceylon", "Gambia" and "Bermuda" which have all been, or are in process of being, modernised.
§ Mr. R. AllanThe First Lord held a Press Conference on Tuesday, 18th February, 1958, at which the First Sea Lord was present but no such statement was made by First Sea Lord at that Conference. Of the cruisers mentioned in the second part of the Question those most recently refitted will be retained in reserve to support them.
There have been no other Press conferences in recent times.