HC Deb 31 January 1963 vol 670 c231W
Brigadier Clarke

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty if he will ensure that new replenishment tankers now being ordered by Her Majesty's Government are nuclear-propelled.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The implications of building a nuclear-propelled Fleet replenishment tanker have been considered but have not been followed up because of the increased cost, the additional time to build and the small military advantage. The new replenishment tankers about to be ordered will have conventional steam propulsion.