§ Captain Kerbyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what economies have been effected by the re-equipping of the Hong Kong minesweeping squadron; what is the future of the vessels formerly employed in local patrols in this area; and if he is satisfied that three vessels can effectively perform the function of six of a smaller type.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThis is not an economy measure, but part of the process of redeploying the minesweeper forces in the Far East to greater advantage referred to by my noble Friend in his Explanatory Statement on the Navy Estimates.
The six inshore minesweepers now at Hong Kong are to be paid off into reserve on the Far East Station. The 185W three coastal minesweepers which will replace them are better equipped to perform the rather special duties of the Hong Kong minesweeping squadron.